Srinivas Padma: Personal Musings on Life, Growth, and Connections

LAS VEGAS -- O.J. Simpson was freed from a Las Vegas jail Wednesday after a judge granted him $125,000 bail on charges he took part in an armed robbery of his own sports memorabilia. Simpson, who was acquitted of killing his ex-wife and her friend in 1995 in a sensational double-murder trial that left his reputation in tatters, did not enter a plea to charges of armed robbery, assault and kidnapping during a brief hearing before a Las Vegas judge. A scrum of media and a crowd of supporters as well as protesters were on hand in Las Vegas to catch a glimpse of yesteryear's national hero, who was acquitted of killing his ex wife Nicole and her friend in a verdict that sparked out rage. "Set the ‘Juice' loose!" yelled one supporter outside the Clark County Detention Center, referring to the football legend's sporting nickname, while another woman shouted "Justice for Nicole!"

O.J. Simpson's arrest may be the start of a new legal odyssey for the fallen American football star , one that could reopen the possibility of prison time more than a decade after his acquittal on murder charges. The police arrested Simpson on Sunday, saying he was part of an armed group that burst into a Las Vegas hotel room and snatched memorabilia that documented his storied career. Simpson said it was merely a confrontation with no guns. He said autographed sports collectibles, his Hall of Fame certificate, a photograph with former FBI director J. Edgar Hoover and video from his first wedding were all his, and that they were stolen from him and were about to be fenced by unethical collectors. the police said they were not sure who owned the memorabilia. But they say the manner in which the goods were taken was under investigation. "Whether or not the property belonged to Simpson or not is still in debate," Lt Clint Nichols said on Sunday. "Having said that,...