In 1975, Glynn Simmons was convicted of a robbery after a witness incriminated him – wrongly. After 48 years in prison, the 71-year-old was declared innocent.
After 48 years in prison, a man in the US state of Oklahoma has been declared innocent. The now 71-year-old black US citizen’s sentence was overturned. According to the National Registry of Exonerations, which documents these cases in the United States, Glynn Simmons is the inmate who spent the longest time innocently behind bars in U.S. history before being acquitted.
A judge found that Simmons was wrongfully convicted of murder and imprisoned. “This court finds, based on clear and convincing evidence, that the offense for which Mr. Simmons was convicted and sent to prison (…) was not committed by Mr. Simmons,” said Judge Amy Palumbo.
Robbery resulting in death
Simmons was sentenced to death along with a co-defendant in 1975 in connection with an armed robbery. The sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment. The crime took place in December 1974 in Edmond, Oklahoma – an employee was shot in the head during the attack.
The guilty verdict was based primarily on the testimony of an 18-year-old customer who was also shot in the head but survived. She identified the two defendants during a police confrontation.
Visibly relieved, Glynn Simmons (left) celebrates his acquittal – and goes out into a world he hasn’t entered in 48 years.
Condemnation despite doubts
Although there were doubts about the 18-year-old’s statement because it was entangled in contradictions, the verdict was passed. The police had never communicated the inconsistencies, it was said.
Simmons had always maintained his innocence. At the time of the crime – then aged 22 – he was in the US state of Louisiana, not in Oklahoma. He spent exactly 48 years, one month and 18 days in prison since his conviction. His co-defendant at the time was released on probation in 2008.
Relief – and criticism of the judiciary
After his release, Simmons expressed relief. Justice had finally been done, he told reporters. “When you know you’re innocent, you have to stick with it and never give up,” Simmons said. But returning to society after such a long time is not easy.
Simmons also expressed criticism of the justice system: Statistically speaking, blacks are disproportionately sentenced to prison. Skin color plays a big role in this. His lawyer John Coyle also confirmed: There was never any real evidence against Simmons. “He was just a black boy who was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
$175,000 for a lifetime
The case was reopened this year at the request of the defense, and the prosecution itself asked that Simmons’ conviction be overturned after a hearing in April. “There was an important police report that was not handed over,” said prosecutor Vicki Behenna, referring to the doubts about the witness statement at the time.
Simmons is now entitled to compensation of up to $175,000 (around 160,000 euros), it said. However, it will probably take years before the claim can be asserted. Simmons currently lives on donations. After his release, Simmons was diagnosed with cancer, one of his lawyers said.