HOLLYWOOD - A Nevada judge has doubled O.J. Simpson's bail to $250,000 after challenging the former athlete/actor for threatening a co-defendant in his armed robbery and kidnap trial through a bail bondsman.
Simpson was jailed in Las Vegas on Friday after bondsman Miguel Pereira passed on a foul-mouthed phone message Simpson had left him in November, in a bid to reach his co-defendant Clarence Stewart.
The conversation violated the strict conditions of the former football star's bail, in which he was strongly advised not to have any contact at all with his co-defendants.
In a Clark County court session on Wednesday morning, Judge Jackie Glass asked Simpson, "What the heck were you thinking?" before upping the star's bail.
Glass also asked a silent Simpson if it was "arrogance" or "ignorance" that made him think he could attack Stewart through his bondsman.
A worried Simpson dropped his head as his bail was increased.
Judge Glass then told the star sternly, "It's going to be $250,000 cash assurity," before telling Simpson's lawyer, "There's no get-out-of-jail-free card today... He's going to have to have something posted."
The plaintiff's lawyer, Yale Galanter, told the court Simpson will put his Florida home up as a bail assurity, but he plans to offer up his own bondsman, who will post a portion of the bail for his client later this week.
Judge Glass told the lawyer Simpson would not be leaving jail until at least 50 percent of his bail was paid.
In November, Simpson pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping and armed robbery in relation to a sports memorabilia heist in Las Vegas in September. The trial is ongoing. Simpson is expected back in court in April.
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