A man named Glynn Simmons, who endured 48 years behind bars for a crime he didn't commit, has been officially declared innocent and released, as reported by BBC News. Simmons, convicted in 1973 for the murder of Carolyn Sue Rogers, consistently professed his innocence, and following a comprehensive review, the court has affirmed his wrongful imprisonment.
Oklahoma County District Judge Amy Palumbo, presiding over the case, delivered a significant ruling, stating, “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.”
This resolution concludes a protracted legal battle that began when Simmons, aged 23 at the time, received a death sentence, later commuted to life imprisonment in 1977.
Now 71 years old, Glynn Simmons has expressed his resilience and tenacity, remarking, “It’s a lesson in resilience and tenacity. Don’t let nobody tell you that it (exoneration) can’t happen because it really can,” upon his long-awaited release.
Glynn’s co-accused, Don Roberts, also facing imprisonment for the same crime, awaits the outcome of ongoing legal proceedings. These developments follow a renewed push for justice and a thorough reexamination of the evidence surrounding the case.
In light of the wrongful conviction, Glynn Simmons is eligible to receive $175,000 in compensation. Furthermore, he has the option to pursue legal action against Oklahoma City for the years of injustice he endured.
Joe Norwood, Glynn’s lawyer, revealed that Glynn is currently relying on GoFundMe for sustenance. He was quoted by NPR as saying, “Glynn is having to live off of GoFundMe. That’s literally how the man is surviving right now, paying rent, buying food. Getting him compensation, and getting compensation is not for sure, is in the future and he has to sustain himself now.”