LAS VEGAS, Jan. 17, 2008

Out Of Jail, O.J. Returns To Florida

Simpson Back Home After Las Vegas Judge Scolds Him, Doubles His Bail

    • O.J. Simpson waves to bystanders as he leaves Miami International Airport, Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008 in Miami.

      O.J. Simpson waves to bystanders as he leaves Miami International Airport, Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008 in Miami.  (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

    • O.J. Simpson, right, sits between his attorneys in a courtroom during his bail revocation hearing in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2008.

      O.J. Simpson, right, sits between his attorneys in a courtroom during his bail revocation hearing in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2008.  (AP Photo/Rick Wilking, Pool)

    • Clark County District Court Judge Jackie Glass gestures during O.J. Simpson's bail revocation hearing in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2008.

      Clark County District Court Judge Jackie Glass gestures during O.J. Simpson's bail revocation hearing in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2008.  (AP Photo/Rick Wilking, Pool)

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(AP)  O.J. Simpson returned home to Miami on Thursday, a day after an angry Las Vegas judge doubled his bail but allowed him to stay out of jail while he awaits trial on armed robbery.

Tom Scotto, who coordinated with four other friends to raise Simpson's bail, greeted Simpson after his arrival at Miami International Airport and escorted him to a waiting sport utility vehicle. Neither man spoke to reporters before the vehicle departed from the airport.

When Scotto talked to Simpson the night before the bail revocation hearing, "He said, 'Pray for me.' That's a first. He was really nervous she wasn't going to let him out."

Simpson, 60, posted bond and was released from jail just after 11 p.m. Wednesday. He walked out by himself, got into a white Mercedes, and was driven away without speaking to the media.

The former football star was picked up last Friday in Florida by a bail bondsman and taken back to Nevada for violating terms of his release.

He had been ordered to have no contact with co-defendants or witnesses after he was freed on bail in September on charges of orchestrating the armed robbery of two sports memorabilia dealers at a hotel room.

But he found himself before a judge again Wednesday because he mentioned co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart while leaving a sputtering, foul-mouthed phone message two months ago for his bail bondsman, Miguel Pereira of You Ring We Spring.

"I don't know, Mr. Simpson, what the heck you were thinking, or maybe that's the problem - you weren't," Clark County District Judge Jackie Glass said.

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In the message, Simpson asked Pereira to tell Stewart how frustrated he was about testimony during a preliminary hearing several days earlier.

"I just want, want C.J. to know that ... I'm tired of this (expletive)," Simpson said, according to a transcript. "Fed up with (expletives) changing what they told me. All right?"

Though there was no indication Stewart received the message, prosecutor Chris Owens suggested it was threatening. The judge merely said she didn't like the tone.

3"I don't know if it's just arrogance. I don't know if it's ignorance," she said as she set his bail at $250,000. "But you've been locked up at the Clark County Detention Center since Friday because of arrogance or ignorance - or both."

Defense attorney Yale Galanter denied the call was an effort by Simpson to contact Stewart.

Simpson and two other men are to face trial April 7. They have pleaded not guilty to kidnapping, armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, coercion and conspiracy charges. An armed robbery conviction carries mandatory prison time. A kidnapping conviction could bring a life sentence with the possibility of parole.



© MMVIII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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by uad812 October 17, 2009 8:14 PM EDT
Last, year Florida held more youth under 18 in adult state prison than any other state in the nation.

My grandson is 17 and was recently incarcerated in Florida on 6 counts of armed robbery, which he has denied being a part of. He is a high-school senior looking forward to graduation. He is T.J. I?m asking you to please reach out to your audience with monetary aid to help him with his defense. I have set-up a T.J. Defense Fund with Compass Bank. Acct # 2515873379:

Please go into any branch with this information. Or you can mail a check or M.O. to

Compass Bank
T.J. Defense Fund
5992 St. Augustine Rd
Jacksonville, Fl 32207

They can also call to verify this account @ 904-564-8202.

A web page will follow shortly with T.J. story that began on 09/11/2009 @ Terry Parker High School in Jacksonville, Florida.

I can be contacted @ 904-399-3260 or e-mail me @ kari3359@yahoo.com

Please help T.J. come home, so he can complete this school year and graduate in 2010.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and attention to this matter.

Shirley - Grandmother to T.J.
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by keithle1 January 19, 2008 1:46 PM EST
Who are these people that helped Simpson raise the money for bail? Why would anyone want to that? Hardcore Buffalo Bills fans?
Reply to this comment
by jerrywolski January 18, 2008 6:26 PM EST
After receiving a verbal tongue lashing, O J Simpson had his original $125,000 bail doubled to $250,000 by a Las Vegas District Court Judge. Proving that even when dealing with "half a deck" you can still "double down".

www.jerrywolski.com
Reply to this comment
by rmonroe401 January 18, 2008 5:40 PM EST
He is laughing because he sees the justice system as a joke. He beat justice once, so he thinks he can do it again. He needs to just be put away for good. Evil dirtball.
Reply to this comment
by keithle1 January 18, 2008 12:09 AM EST
Boy needs to be beaten senseless. Any volunteers? What''s he laughing about? Someone knock his teeth out.
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