In the USA, a court acquitted a man who served 48 years in prison for a crime he did not commit
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In the USA, 70-year-old Glynn Simmons from Oklahoma was released after almost half a century of imprisonment. In 1975, a man was convicted of murder during a liquor store robbery. Now he was acquitted.
Based on “clear and convincing evidence”, the court found that the crime for which Simmons was imprisoned was not committed by him, writes The New York Times.
The man was convicted when he was 22 years old. Simmons and his friend Don Roberts were found guilty of murdering employee Carolyn Sue Rogers, who was shot in the head by two liquor store robbers.
A woman who was injured during the robbery testified that she allegedly recognized Simmons and Roberts. However, although she later contradicted some of her testimony, prosecutors did not take it into account.
Simmons and Roberts were sentenced to death, but their sentences were later commuted to life imprisonment. Roberts got out of prison on parole back in 2008, and Simmons has been behind bars until now.
| Photo: Oklahoma Department of Corrections |
Simmons’ 48 years, one month and 18 days behind bars is the longest false imprisonment in the United States, according to the National Registry of Exonerations.
“It’s a lesson in resilience and persistence. Don’t let anyone tell you it can’t happen, because it really can.”Simmons said after the acquittal.
Simmons’ attorney said that if his client decides to file a federal lawsuit against the state, he could receive up to $175,000 in compensation.
Since his release, Simmons, who was recently diagnosed with cancer, lives mostly on donations made through an online crowdfunding platform.
“He was deprived of work experience and the opportunity to pursue a career to financially support himself and his family. All of that was taken away from him.” – says the husband’s lawyer.
We will remind you that in the USA the host of a YouTube channel about parenting will be tried for child abuse.
Read also: Sold on the black market: in the US, two men are accused of killing 3,600 birds
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