Simpson could have gotten lighter term

LAS VEGAS, Dec. 6 (UPI) -- A prosecutor says O.J. Simpson could have received a shorter prison term had he not rejected plea bargains before his armed robbery and kidnapping conviction.

Simpson, 61, will be in jail for at least nine years if he is released on parole and for a maximum of 33 years if he serves his full term.

The former NFL star received his prison term Friday from Clark County (Nev.) District Judge Jackie Glass following 3 1/2-week trial for charges that included conspiracy, coercion and assault with a deadly weapon in the wake of an attempted sports memorabilia robbery at a Las Vegas casino hotel room in September 2007.

"He knew that this was wrong," Clark County District Attorney David Roger said to the Las Vegas Review-Journal at a news conference shortly after the verdict without adding details about the possible lighter sentence. "He knew that this was a robbery."

On Oct. 3, 1995, Simpson was acquitted of killing his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and Ronald Goldman.