O.J. Simpson faces prison during appeal

“This is not a frivolous appeal,” Yale Galanter, Simpson’s lawyer, said. “There were some grave errors made by Judge (Jackie) Glass, and we think they are strong enough to overturn the conviction. We also think we have a shot at bail.”

Galanter has cited six initial issues for appeal. The most significant concern could be the exclusion of blacks from the jury selection. The defense also will protest the judge allowing comments about Simpson’s 1994 Los Angeles murder case in which he was acquitted of killing his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman.

Simpson was sentenced Friday to 9 to 33 years in prison. Stewart got 7 to 27 years.

Before any appeal winds its way to the Nevada Supreme Court, Simpson faces years in prison for a September 2007 confrontation with two sports memorabilia dealers over collectibles that Simpson insisted were stolen from him. “Prison will be very taxing on him,” Galanter said. At 61, Simpson is not in great health, he said.

“He’ll be treated like every other inmate,” said Howard Skolnik, director of the Nevada Department of Corrections. “The only issue might be whether we have to provide a little more protective custody because of his notoriety, at least at the start.”

Simpson could be moved within a week to High Desert State Prison, about 45 miles (73 kilometers) northwest of Las Vegas, where a 2004 inmate brawl killed one inmate and wounded 18 others. Skolnik said it was unlikely he would go to Nevada’s one maximum security facility because he was not under a life sentence. Nevada has six medium security prisons.

Wherever he winds up, the accommodations will be spartan. Skolnik acknowledged that adjusting to prison may be difficult for a man who once lived the high life as a football star, movie actor and advertising pitchman.

Prison cells average 78 square feet (7.25 sq. meters). Each cell has a narrow window about four inches wide and 30 inches (76 centimeters) long. Most have two beds, a commode, a sink, a shelf and a plastic glass window on the door that allows guards to peer inside.

He won’t have much freedom at meal time either. The state allocates US$2.18 for meals per day per inmate, and men get a standard 2,800-calorie diet. Hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken and pizza are among the most popular menu items, Skolnik said.

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