( dpa )- Former American football star OJ Simpson had his bail doubled Wednesday after a judge found he violated terms of his release on charges of kidnapping and robbery stemming from a dispute over sports memorabilia.
Simpson appeared in court handcuffed and in prison uniform to hear a sharp rebuke from Clark County District Court Judge Jackie Glass. He had been taken into custody late last week after prosecutors alleged he had broken the conditions of his bail by trying to contact witnesses in his pending case.
"I don't know Mr Simpson what the heck you were thinking - or maybe that's the problem - you weren't," Glass said. "I don't know if it's just arrogance. I don't know if it's ignorance - or both."
She warned that any further violations would cause him to be locked up until the end of his trial which is set to begin in April. Simpson remained in custody following the hearing pending the posting of the new bail amount.
Simpson is facing charges of kidnapping, armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, burglary and coercion in connection with what authorities said was an armed attempt to gain control of disputed sports memorabilia from two dealers.
Simpson, who was sensationally found innocent of murdering his wife and her friend in 1995, has pleaded not guilty to the charges.