He was convicted of multiple felonies...all carried some pretty hefty jail time on each one...he got way less than max.
If someone had a bunch of my stuff at their place, I'd probably be breaking some laws to gather up my guns and pals and go get the stuff myself....guess ya have to use your head.
You are judged by a jury. If they think you deserve to go free you will, if not, you will go to jail.
Some years back a man's son was kidnapped at an early age, the criminal who took him kept him for years. When the cops found the kidnapper and the boy and were bringing them back home, the dad just walked up and shot the man that took his son, killed him on the spot, while he was in custody. Jury said, innocent. So I guess there are times when a jury comes in handy after all.
I would suppose if that jury was not to upset about anyone stealing OJ's stuff...I guess they just convicted him of the felonies that he did commit.