OJ Simpson appeals robbery, kidnap conviction

American football legend OJ Simpson is appealing his conviction for robbery and kidnapping charges that landed him in prison for at least nine years.

A 47-page brief alleges judicial misconduct, a lack of racial diversity on the jury, and errors in sentencing and jury instructions led to a wrongful conviction at his trial, which ended in October last year.

The case stemmed from a September 2007 hotel confrontation with two sports memorabilia dealers in Las Vegas. Judge Jackie Glass sentenced Mr Simpson, 61, to 33 years in prison with the possibility of parole after nine.

The judge became known during the trial for vocally scolding attorneys for both sides as well as witnesses, issues raised in the appeal.

The jury that convicted Mr Simpson was comprised of 10 whites, one Asian and one Hispanic; Mr Simpson attorneys protested the dismissal of several black prospective jurors during the seating process.

"Cumulative error... was so egregious and prejudicial that the defence could not get a fair trial," according to the appeal written by Mr Simpson attorneys Yale Galanter and Malcolm LaVergne in a brief to the Nevada Supreme Court.

Mr LaVergne said he expects the court to take up the case this fall.

Mr Simpson was convicted of bursting into a hotel room with a five other men, two carrying or brandishing guns, and departing with a trove of memorabilia related to his and other famed athletes sports careers.

The NFL Hall of Famer and once-popular film star said he was trying to retrieve personal keepsakes and family heirlooms he claims was once stolen from him. Mr Simpson has been locked up in a prison in Lovelock, Nevada, about 90 miles east of Reno, since his sentencing in December.

He was acquitted in 1995 of charges he murdered his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman. But he later was held liable for the deaths in a civil court case.