Glynn Simmons
Glynn Simmons was rehabilitated on December 18, 2023, after being convicted in 1975 of a murder he did not commit. Forty-eight years later, the wrongfully convicted American was cleared of murder charges.
According to the National Registry of Exonerations, the case is believed to be the longest time served by a wrongfully convicted prisoner in the United States, which tracks the length of sentences in such cases. Glynn Simmons, now 70 years old, was found not guilty by Judge Amy Palumbo of the Oklahoma County Circuit Court. The order signed by Judge Palumbo says the court “found by clear and convincing evidence” that the crime for which Mr. Simmons was imprisoned “was not committed by him.”
Mr. Simmons has stage 4 colon cancer and at this point has only a minimal chance of living the next five years. Under Oklahoma law, he is owed $175,000 in compensation – $3,645 for each year of wrongful imprisonment – but he has yet to receive a penny and relies on fundraising by a charitable foundation to cover his living expenses and medical bills.
MASS MEDIA ABOUT THE CASE:
Exonerated after 48 years in prison and now battling stage four cancer
CASE STATUS:
The Action Group has sought clarification on the current case from US President Joseph Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland. The Initiative Group considers it important to fight police brutality and can provide legal and informational assistance to Glynn Simmons and his family if necessary.
