O.J. Simpson freed from Las Vegas jail

By Dan Whitcomb

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - O.J. Simpson was freed from a Las Vegas jail on 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 after a sensational double murder trial that left his reputation in tatters, walked out of jail hours after winning his release in a hearing before a Las Vegas judge.

He did not enter a plea to charges of armed robbery, assault and kidnapping at the hearing, but was expected to plead innocent at his next court appearance in October. His lawyers said they would fight the charges.

The 60-year-old ex-athlete did not respond to reporters and onlookers waiting for him outside the jail as he got into a car driven by his lead attorney, Yale Galanter. The pair drove to the Palms hotel and casino off the Vegas strip, followed by camera crews and with helicopters hovering overhead.

Under the bail conditions, Simpson, who lives in Florida, will have to surrender his passport but will be allowed to travel within the United States. Galanter has said he was eager to return home.

Simpson was handcuffed and shackled at the waist and wearing blue jail garb during the bail hearing. He addressed the court only when Judge Joe Bonaventure asked if he understood the charges.

"Yes sir," Simpson replied in a low, hoarse voice.

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