O.J. Simpson could be released from prison as soon as Monday, but Nevada Department of Corrections officials have been mostly quiet about how and when he’ll be released.
Even Simpson’s attorney, Malcolm LaVergne, said he didn’t know the timing of the release — though he said he would “wait patiently” through next Friday for his client to be let out of prison.
Simpson will be transferred from Lovelock Correctional Center north of Reno to High Desert Prison, about 45 minutes outside Las Vegas, before his release.
Corrections officials confirmed that extra corrections staff would be at the prison Monday, but said that didn’t necessarily mean Simpson would be released that day.
Simpson was granted parole in July for the botched robbery and kidnapping involving his own memorabilia at Palace Station Casino in Las Vegas. He was sentenced to up to 33 years, but the Nevada Parole Board granted him his freedom because of good behavior in prison.
“I’ve done my time,” Simpson said at the hearing. “I’ve done it as well and as respectfully as anybody can.”
The parole board was not allowed to consider the 1994 killings of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman in California. He was acquitted of the crime by a Los Angeles jury in 1995. But acting, endorsement and sports broadcasting opportunities largely dried up for him.
Simpson, however, lost a civil judgment related to the crime and was ordered to play $33.5 million to the victims’ families.
Simpson has said he hoped to move to Florida upon his release from prison. However, a move to Florida would require approval by the Florida Department of Corrections. Officials of that department said they hadn’t received such a request as of Friday.
According to Florida officials, Nevada must validate a transfer plan and agree that they will allow Simpson to request transfer out of the state.
Once Florida receives the request, officials there have 45 days to review the plan and determine whether Simpson will be accepted.
On Friday, Florida Attorney General. Pam Bondi made it clear that she did not want Simpson in the state.
“Floridians are well aware of Mr. Simpson’s background, his wanton disregard for the lives of others, and of his scofflaw attitude with respect to the heinous acts for which he has been found civilly liable,” Bondi wrote to the Department of Corrections. “The specter of his residing in comfort in Florida should not be an option.”
Simpson is eligible for release on parole Sunday, but the Nevada Department of Corrections doesn’t process inmate releases on Sundays. Upon his release, he will be supervised under parole guidelines through September 2022.