All 4 former co-defendants of O.J. Simpson get probation

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” Bruce Fromong exclaimed after Clark County District Court Judge Jackie Glass sentenced Michael McClinton to eight years’ probation. McClinton, 50, testified that he supplied two guns and brandished one during the Sept. 13, 2007, confrontation.

“Get him out of the building,” Glass said of Fromong. She did not let Fromong address the court before sentencing.

Glass lectured the four defendants but accepted a state recommendation that they serve no prison time. She handed probation terms of six years to Charles Ehrlich, four years to Walter Alexander and three years to Charles Cashmore.

The sentences were much lighter than those meted out Friday to Simpson and Clarence “C.J.” Stewart, the only co-defendant who stood trial. Glass sentenced Simpson to nine to 33 years in prison and Stewart to 7 to 27 years.

Although Simpson was in prison 45 miles (72 kilometers) away Tuesday, his presence dominated the hearing.

Robert Dennis Rentzer, Alexander’s attorney, said it was Simpson’s charismatic personality that led the men astray last year when they confronted Fromong and fellow memorabilia dealer Alfred Beardsley in an attempt to retrieve Simpson mementos the collectibles dealers were trying to peddle.

“On that day, everybody was a snake. O.J. Simpson was the snake charmer,” Rentzer said. “The man has charisma. There is something about him that captures individuals and draws them into his circle.”

The four sentenced Tuesday originally faced charges similar to Simpson and Stewart, but after their plea deals, the probation department recommended no prison time. All four were ordered to do community service.

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