OJ Simpson Granted Parole

As expected by both legal analysts and the former football star himself, OJ Simpson was granted parole Thursday following nine years in prison for armed robbery and kidnapping, NBC News reports. The 4-0 ruling comes from the Nevada Board of Parole. The 70-year-old Simpson's original 33-year sentence will end in his release as early as Oct. 1, according to the Washington Post.

Simpson was sent to prison after he and other men took sports memorabilia from a hotel room in Las Vegas. At Thursday's hearing, he called the robbery a "big mistake" and claimed he had "basically spent a conflict-free life." His daughter, Arnelle Simpson, spoke on his behalf, and OJ told the board he wants to "spend as much time with my children" as possible. (More OJ Simpson stories.)