Over 20 years after “trial of the century” where O.J. Simpson was acquitted of double homicide on live television, the world tuned in again Thursday to watch the outcome of Simpson’s more recent parole hearing. This time, the proceedings were broadcasting from cable stations like ESPN, websites like CBSSports.com, and even over Facebook Live.
All US networks are carrying OJ Simpson's parole hearing live. It's like we're living in a 1990s turn-back-the-clock retrospective show
— Anthony Zurcher (@awzurcher) July 20, 2017
imagine going back to 1994 & telling people we'd be watching OJ's parole live, & that the guy who made a cameo in home alone 2 is president
— David Mack (@davidmackau) July 20, 2017
The hearing was in regard to a series of convictions including robbery and kidnapping in 2008 in Las Vegas, where Simpson was sentenced to 33 years behind bars. He has been serving time for the past 9 years, and Thursday’s parole hearing would determine whether or not he would get an early release.
Judge tells #OJSimpson he is getting the same parole hearing that anyone else would get in his position pic.twitter.com/vLCwIeAc9o
— Sky News (@SkyNews) July 20, 2017
The Nevada Board of Parole Commissioners granted Simpson’s request on Thursday, and almost immediately the internet jumped into action with memes.
OJ Simpson vs the US legal system pic.twitter.com/iZ3SU0bisj
— Ribhi (@bdeljabbar) July 20, 2017
https://twitter.com/_jackfreeman/status/888113753568321541
Kris Jenner thinking about all of the ways she can make a profit off of OJ's release pic.twitter.com/9CiXm1inlN
— Lifelong Rams fan (@1R0TIMI) July 20, 2017
For those who watched the outcome of Simpson’s 1995 hearings, it was all too familiar.
https://twitter.com/Chelseashow/status/888123643867176960
And some people are just grabbing the popcorn.
OJ Simpson driving, looking for Jay-Z pic.twitter.com/5KXrjUjkbP
— Dr Tunde Okewale MBE (@UrbnLawyer) July 20, 2017
https://twitter.com/_jackfreeman/status/888110911684083712
"OJ Simpson will be granted parole"
Jay Z: pic.twitter.com/dBESoLphNF
— Moe (@MoeAlayan) July 20, 2017
According to David Smith, a Nevada Board of Parole Commissioners spokesman, Simpson will be eligible for release on Oct. 1. As of now, it doesn’t look like Simpson will be getting into more trouble any time soon.
“Right now, I’m at a point in my life where I want to spend as much time with my kids and my friends,” Simpson said.