Glynn Simmons, 71, is the prisoner who innocently spent the longest time behind bars in U.S. history before being acquitted, according to the National Registry of Exonerations project.
After more than 48 years in prison, a man wrongly convicted of murder in the US state of Oklahoma has been declared innocent. According to the National Registry of Exonerations project, 71-year-old Glynn Simmons is the longest innocent prisoner in American history before being acquitted. The African-American was released in July, after exactly 48 years, one month and 18 days in prison.
Judge Amy Palumbo overturned Simmons' conviction at the time. The official acquittal took place on Tuesday, as announced on Wednesday. “We’ve been waiting for this day for a long, long time,” Simmons said afterward. “We can finally say that justice has been served.”
Simmons has always maintained his innocence
Simmons and another suspect, Don Roberts, were sentenced to death in 1975 for the murder of an Edmond liquor store employee during a robbery. The death sentences were later commuted to life imprisonment. The conviction was based solely on the testimony of a teenager who was shot in the head during the robbery, but survived.
She later stated that she recognized Simmons and Roberts. Later, considerable doubts arose about the reliability of this statement. Both men testified during the trial that they were not even in Oklahoma at the time of the crime. Roberts was released from prison in 2008.
Right to payment of compensation
Simmons should now be entitled to compensation. “What was done cannot be undone, but there can be accountability,” said the acquitted man.
In the USA there are always serious errors of judgment. Members of minorities, such as African Americans, who often cannot afford good lawyers, are often affected. Critics see systemic racism in the US justice system. (APA/AFP)