O.J. Simpson denied bail during appeal

O.J. Simpson must remain behind bars while he appeals his conviction of robbing two sports memorabilia dealers at gunpoint in Las Vegas in Sept. 2007.

In a ruling issued Friday, a three-judge panel of the Nevada Supreme Court said Simpson and co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart didn't meet the "heavy burden" required for them to be allowed out of prison on bail during the appeal.

Malcolm LaVergne, a lawyer for Simpson, said in Las Vegas that he was disappointed with the ruling. He had not yet informed the former star NFL running back of the decision.

A jury found Simpson and Stewart guilty in Oct. 2008 of 12 charges, including kidnapping, armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, burglary and conspiracy in armed confrontation.

Simpson is currently serving a prison term of nine to 33 years in Lovelock Correctional Center, 145 kilometres northeast of Reno.

In their ruling, the judges noted that Simpson and Stewart had been convicted of "serious, nonprobationable, violent offences" involving firearms. 

The judges also said a lower court judge had said the two men posed flight risks.