Says he has “done time as respectfully” as anybody can

Disgraced American football legend O.J. Simpson, whose 1995 acquittal for double murder polarised the United States, was granted his release from prison on Thursday after serving nearly nine years behind bars for armed robbery.

A four-member parole board in the western U.S. state of Nevada voted unanimously to free the 70-year-old Simpson after a tense public hearing broadcast live by news networks.

An emotional Simpson, who bowed his head and mouthed “thank you” to the parole commissioners, could walk free as early as October 1.

“I’ve done my time, you know?” he told the parole board, which deliberated in private for just 30 minutes before announcing its decision. “I’ve done it as well and as respectfully as I think anybody can.”

Simpson was found not guilty in 1995 of the grisly murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and a male companion, Ron Goldman.

But the former National Football League running back and actor was sent to prison in 2008 for his role in an armed robbery the previous year of two sports memorabilia dealers.