An Oklahoma judge has declared a man innocent after he spent almost 50 years in prison for a murder he did not commit. Glynn Simmons, 71, was released in July when it was acknowledged that crucial evidence was not disclosed to his defense team. On Tuesday, Oklahoma County District Judge Amy Palumbo ruled that Mr. Simmons was not guilty of the crime for which he was convicted. Serving 48 years, one month, and 18 days, Simmons is now the longest-serving U.S. inmate to be exonerated, as recorded by The National Registry of Exonerations.
Simmons expressed feeling vindicated after enduring a sentence that initially included death row. In a brief news conference, he emphasized the lessons of resilience and tenacity, urging others not to dismiss the possibility of exoneration. Mr. Simmons consistently maintained his innocence, stating he was in Louisiana at the time of the 1974 murder for which he was convicted.
Simmons and co-defendant Don Roberts were convicted in 1975 and initially sentenced to death for the killing of Carolyn Sue Rogers in an Edmond liquor store. Their sentences were later reduced to life imprisonment in 1977 following U.S. Supreme Court decisions on capital punishment. Roberts was released on parole in 2008.
The judge ordered a new trial for Simmons in July after prosecutors admitted to not disclosing critical evidence, including a police report indicating a potential eyewitness who might have identified other suspects. In September, the District Attorney announced no plans to retry Simmons, although she opposed declaring him officially innocent.
The ruling now makes Simmons eligible for up to $175,000 in compensation for wrongful conviction and allows for a potential federal lawsuit against Oklahoma City and law enforcement involved in his arrest. While compensation may take years, Simmons is currently relying on donations, facing health challenges with cancer diagnosed after his release from prison. Defense attorney Joe Norwood emphasized the importance of securing compensation for Simmons as he copes with present financial difficulties.
IMPORTANT WORDS:
- Acknowledged: Accepted the existence, truth, or validity of something.
- Disclosed: Made known or revealed information that was previously hidden or unknown.
- Guilty: Responsible for a crime or wrongdoing; having committed an offense.
- Convicted: Found guilty by a court of law, typically resulting in a legal judgment and punishment.
- Inmate: A person confined in an institution, such as a prison or mental hospital.
- Exonerated: Declared not guilty or free from blame, especially after evidence proves innocence.
- Vindicated: Cleared of blame or suspicion; justified or proven correct.
- Enduring: Persisting over time; withstanding challenges or difficulties.
- Emphasized: Placed special importance or significance on something; highlighted.
- Resilience: The ability to recover quickly from difficulties or adversity; toughness.
- Tenacity: The quality of being persistent and determined in the face of challenges.
- Parole: The release of a prisoner before the completion of their sentence, subject to certain conditions.
- Trial: A formal examination of evidence in a court of law to determine guilt or innocence.
- Suspects: Individuals believed to be potentially involved in a crime but not yet proven guilty.
- Lawsuit: A legal action in which a person or group sues to seek a remedy or compensation for perceived wrongdoing.
- Enforcement: The act of ensuring compliance with laws, regulations, or rules.
- Relying: Depending on or trusting in someone or something.
- Securing: Obtaining or ensuring the possession or control of something.
- Copes: Deals effectively with and manages difficulties or challenges.
