O.J. Simpson's immediate plans to avoid the press were blown about five hours after his 12:08 a.m. release from Lovelock Correctional Center on Sunday, October 1. The fallen football star was tracked down by a reporter in Amargosa Valley, which is approximately 75 miles northwest of Las Vegas. He appeared to be shocked that he had been under observation by the newsman and asked if he was being stalked, before telling the reporter that where he was headed was none of the man's business.
"I'm in a car for the last five hours, so how do I know how it feels to be out?" Simpson told the Splash News rep from the white SUV that had been transporting him to his undisclosed new residence. The reporter then segued from asking O.J. how he feels to ask how his life has changed, which proved to be a dim question to O.J. judging by his reaction. "I've been in nowhere U.S.A. for the last nine years doing nothing. Nothing has changed in my life. What do you expect?" O.J. responded.
There has been a concerted effort to have O.J.'s re-acclimation to the public take place with as little fanfare as possible. Less than a handful of people are reported to have been aware of his exact release date and time, and video of him leaving the facility reflects such efforts. The court is playing a hand in facilitating the transition as well, as it has been determined that for the time being he will need to remain in Nevada and that if he eventually does initiate a move to his preferred community in Florida, it would not come without the court's approval.
