Clarence Stewart Bound to Simpson in Sentencing

(L-R) Clarence "C.J." Stewart speaks with lawyer Charles D. Jones in court during his sentencing at the Clark County Regional Justice Center December 5, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Stewart and co-defendant O.J. Simpson were sentenced on 12 charges, including felony kidnapping, armed robbery and conspiracy related to a 2007 confrontation with sports memorabilia dealers in a Las Vegas hotel. (Getty Images)more pics »The fate of Clarence C.J. Stewart was determined when he went to trial as a codefendant in the Las Vegas robbery case involving O.J. Simpson.

Two of Stewart and Simpson's accomplices pleaded guilty to lesser charges in exchange for testimony in the trial, but not Stewart. Stewart went to trial, and was found guilty of robbery and kidnapping along with Simpson on Oct. 3, 2008. And now he shares Simpson's prison fate as well.

Stewart was sentenced to the same 15 years as Simpson with one difference. CNN Reports:
Stewart's sentence was similar to Simpson's, except that he becomes eligible for parole sooner, in about 7½ years. [Simpson will be eligible in nine years.]

Attorneys for Simpson, a 61-year-old former running back, asked for a sentence of no more than six years. But a pre-sentencing report recommended an 18-year term, and Glass -- who cut Simpson little slack during the trial -- had wide leeway in sentencing.

Prosecutor David Rogers argued that Simpson was "the ringleader, so to speak, in this case ... he chose to use force and violence to take this property." What do you think? Should Stewart have suffered the same sentence as Simpson? Vote here.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•