Simpson’s co-defendant granted bail as he awaits new trial
December 9, 2010 - 10:37 am
A district judge has set bail at $150,000 for O.J. Simpson's co-defendant from the 2007 robbery of sports memorabilia dealers at Palace Station.
Clarence Stewart's attorneys asked Judge Jackie Glass to release the 56-year-old on his own recognizance pending his new trial. Clark County District Attorney David Roger had asked that bail be set at $1 million.
Stewart's attorney Brent Bryson called the bail amount "reasonable," and said his client would likely post bond Thursday.
It was unclear from jail records if he was still in custody Thursday night.
Before his 2008 conviction, Stewart's bail was $100,000.
The Nevada Supreme Court in October overturned Stewart's conviction on armed robbery, kidnapping and other charges, saying he didn't receive a fair trial because he sat next to Simpson, "one of the most notorious public figures in this country."
Stewart, who was sentenced to 7½ to 27 years in prison, is serving time at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center in Carson City. He is expected to be in Glass' court later this month.
Bryson has argued that Stewart was a golf buddy of the former professional football player and actor and got caught up in "some stuff" he didn't fully understand. Simpson maintained throughout the trial that he was attempting to recover family heirlooms on Sept. 13, 2007.
Bryson and Clark County District Attorney David Roger have indicated they are both open to negotiating a plea agreement in Stewart's case.
Contact reporter Francis McCabe at
fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.