The limelight seems to follow OJ Simpson wherever he goes, and this time it followed him to Las Vegas, where he was arrested Sunday.

Thomas Riccio, a memorabilia dealer, said he told Simpson about items being sold in a private auction at a hotel room at the Palace Station casino. Simpson and four other men allegedly entered the room, strong-armed the men and retrieved Simpson’s belongings: pictures of ex-wife Nicole with their children, game balls signed by Simpson and framed awards and plaques.

Many have already stamped the guilty brand on Simpson’s forehead, while others have started to make “free OJ” banners. Some say he got away with the murder of his ex-wife and her boyfriend in 1994, and this robbery will be able to make him accountable for what should have happened 13 years ago.

If Simpson goes to jail, let it be for his new crimes and not revenge for the murders he was previously acquitted of. It is a different case, therefore it should be treated as such. One thing people have to understand is that Simpson did raise his voice at the sellers, did say some harsh words, maybe even made some threats, but he did not harm anyone.

I’m not saying he shouldn’t go to jail, but his trial should be about the robbery, and not the fact the he was acquitted years ago and people are furious that a murder went unpunished. If people take the time to listen and stop projecting animosity toward him, they might realize he didn’t deny anything but the guns.

Simpson is being charged with criminal charges; two counts of robbery with a deadly weapon, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, burglary with a deadly weapon and conspiracy, including two counts of kidnapping and one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, and the assault and robbery with a deadly weapon. With the kidnapping charges alone, Simpson could be put in prison for life.

We all know that just because judges sometimes give celebrities the benefit of the doubt doesn’t mean Simpson will have the same privilege. Driving under the influence charges are not taken seriously by the media or judges when it comes to celebrities, usually it’s a six-and-a half year sentence if you are drunk while driving. Celebrities get slapped on the wrist and just do it again. With the robbery, people are associating it with murder because it’s OJ, the “killer” who was acquitted, preventing the redemption of the Goldman family and others. This time will the evidence prove his innocence?

– Charity Watkins is a middler criminal justice major