Here's When O.J. Simpson Will Be Released From Prison

On Thursday O.J. Simpson appeared before a Nevada parole board in the hopes of being released from prison after nine years. At the end of the hearing, Simpson was, in fact, granted parole. So, when will O.J. be released? Reports say it could be as soon as Oct. 1.

Prior to Simpson's decent into infamy, he was best known as a former football hero and NFL legend. Then his "good guy image" was tainted after he was accused of murdering his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman, in 1994. Simpson was found not guilty and acquitted of all charges after a drama-filled and highly publicized court case, which solidified his infamous reputation (not to mention the reputations of his lawyers) forever. It wasn't until Simpson was sent to a Nevada prison after being sentenced on charges stemming from an armed robbery, that he resurfaced in the "media spotlight."

According to The New York Times, "based on his age and the fact that he has been a model prisoner, the Nevada Board of Parole Commissioners granted his release the first time it was considered, rather than denying parole and making him wait years for another chance." Simpson turned 70 this month.

In 2008, according to CNN, a judge sentenced Simpson to nine to 33 years in a state prison, meaning, according to The New York Times, "he becomes eligible for parole for the first time on Oct. 1." The charges Simpson was eventually found guilty of committing were, according to CNN, "kidnapping, armed robbery, and assault with a deadly weapon." Now that parole has been granted, it's safe to assume Oct. 1 will, in fact, be the day we all watch O.J. Simpson walk free.

The parole hearing was televised, as these things usually are in high-profile cases and/or with individuals who are well known, and many media outlets were quick to report on Simpson's sometimes odd behavior throughout the hearing itself. For example, The New York Times reported that, "under questioning by parole commissioners, Mr. Simpson stuck to a version of the robbery that, as the board member Tony Corda said, 'differs a little from the official record.'"

CNN reported that Simpson also apologized, saying he was a "model prisoner" and promised the board that he would have "no conflicts if released." Simpson went on to say:

I've done my time. I've done it as well and as respectfully as I think anyone can.

Conflicting versions of the story didn't stop the board from granting Simpson his subsequent freedom. And just as his parole hearing was televised live for the free world to see, it's safe to assume we will all be watching when Simpson walks out of that Nevada prison and joins the free world he left behind nine years ago.