Man who spent 50 years in prison in the US found innocent

Oklahoma District Court Judge Amy Palumbo has ruled that 71-year-old Glynn Simmons, who served 48 years, 1 month, and 18 days in prison for a murder conviction and was released by prosecutors following an appeal by his lawyers, is innocent.

COURT CLEARS HIS NAME

Evaluating the appeal filed by Simmons' lawyers following his release, Judge Palumbo stated in her ruling, "This court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the offense for which Mr. Simmons was convicted, sentenced, and imprisoned was not committed by Mr. Simmons."

Following a statement by District Attorney Vicki Behenna in July, in which she noted that prosecutors in the previous trial had failed to fully disclose evidence, Oklahoma District Court Judge Amy Palumbo had ordered a new trial.

The District Attorney's presentation of a police report as evidence, which indicated that an eyewitness might have identified other suspects in the case, played a significant role in the retrial.

RIGHT TO SEEK COMPENSATION

The court's final decision grants Simmons the right to seek up to 175 thousand dollars in compensation from the state for wrongful conviction.

Simmons' lawyer, Joe Norwood, stated that beyond this, he could file a federal lawsuit against the city of Oklahoma and the law enforcement officers involved in his client's arrest and conviction. Norwood said that the compensation process would likely take years and that Simmons is currently living on donations while undergoing treatment for cancer, which was diagnosed after his release from prison.

SIMMONS: THIS IS A LESSON IN RESILIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE

Meanwhile, in a press conference held after the court's decision, Simmons said, "This is a lesson in resilience and perseverance."

Glynn Simmons was sentenced to death in 1975 for a 1974 murder at a liquor store in Louisiana that resulted in the death of Carolyn Sue Rogers, alongside a person named Don Roberts; his sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment.

Roberts was released on bail in 2008, while Simmons regained his freedom in July after prosecutors realized his innocence.

Furthermore, Simmons has gone down in history as the prisoner who served the longest time in prison for a crime he did not commit in the US.

News Source: 12punto