Former American football star O.J. Simpson was granted parole on Thursday after serving nearly nine years behind bars for armed robbery. Simpson could walk free as early as October 1.

Simpson was convicted in October 2008 of armed robbery, assault, kidnapping and other offenses after he and five associates — two of whom were armed — ambushed the two sports memorabilia dealers in a casino hotel room.

He was sentenced to a minimum of nine years in prison and a maximum of 33 years.

Details soon