US Inmate Glynn Simmons Wiki, Age, Parents & More

Quick Info
Real Name	Glynn Simmons.
In News	Exonerated After Spending 50 Years in Prison.
Age	71.
Birth Date	November 13, 1952.
Birth Place	Harvey, Louisiana, United States.
Lives in	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, America.
Gender	Male.
Nationality	American.
Ethnicities	African-American.
Donation
GoFundMe
Body Measurements
Height	In feet: 5' 11". In centimeters: 180.3 cm. In meters: 1.8 m.
Eyes	Brown.
Hair	Bald.

All About LongestImprisoned US inmate Glynn Simmons

Glynn Simmons (age 71, born November 13, 1952), an Oklahoma man, has finally been freed after an agonizing 48 years of being wrongly imprisoned. His nightmare started with a conviction in the 1974 murder of Carolyn Sue Rogers, which led to a death sentence in 1975. However, a crucial decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1977 changed his sentence to life imprisonment.

Recently, court documents unveiled that vital evidence in Simmons’ case hadn’t been shared with his defense team. Consequently, prosecutors agreed to his release in July 2023, formally acknowledging his innocence. This historic exoneration sets Glynn Simmons as the longest-serving wrongfully imprisoned person in U.S. history, according to the National Registry of Exonerations.

Despite gaining back his freedom, Simmons now confronts the daunting task of rebuilding his life and relies on support from a GoFundMe campaign set up by defense attorney Joe Norwood. Glynn is eager to create a positive impact and has expressed his wish to help others who are unfairly incarcerated, emphasizing his commitment to change and justice.”

Glynn Simmons wikipedia

Why was Glynn Simmons Arrested?

In December 1974, Glynn Simmons got tangled in a harrowing situation of false accusations. The Edmond Liquor Store in Oklahoma turned into a scene of terror when, just before 9:30 p.m. on December 30, 1974, two armed individuals stormed in. Tragically, during the chaos, 30-year-old Carolyn Sue Rogers, a store clerk, lost her life after being shot in the head while trying to reach the telephone.

Another clerk, Norma Hankins, was instructed by one of the robbers to open the cash register. Money was taken, and in the midst of the confusion, 18-year-old Belinda Brown, attempting to use a fake ID for a bottle of tequila, was also shot in the head but miraculously survived. Sadly, Rogers passed away due to her injuries at the hospital.

The aftermath of this tragic event uncovered a complicated series of incidents. Four days later, the police interviewed Brown, who had a limited memory of the ordeal. Hankins, unable to identify the attackers, focused on the weapons used during the robbery. Meanwhile, authorities were investigating a string of similar crimes, including a murder case.

On February 4, 1975, the bodies of two men were discovered northeast of Oklahoma City, leading to the arrest of Leonard Patterson on February 5. Leonard confessed to the murders, while his brother, Delbert, admitted to being present but not involved. The plot thickened on January 19, 1975, during a party hosted by Dorothy Norris in Oklahoma City.

Norris, the aunt of 22-year-old Glynn Simmons, who had recently moved from Harvey, Louisiana, for work, was connected to the Pattersons through the party. Simply associated with the Pattersons at the gathering, Simmons and 21-year-old Don Roberts were arrested on February 8, 1975, for the capital murder related to the Edmond Liquor Store shooting.

This arrest marked the beginning of a lengthy legal journey for Simmons, as their trial began in June 1975 in the Oklahoma County District Court.

Glynn Simmons was arrested in 1975

Trial and Sentencing

The legal saga that shadowed Glynn Simmons and Don Roberts commenced in 1975, leaving an indelible mark on their lives. The prosecution’s foundation was laid by the medical examiner’s testimony, revealing Carolyn Sue Rogers’ death from a gunshot wound to the head.

Central to the case was Belinda Brown, who steadfastly identified Simmons and Roberts during lineups and a preliminary hearing on February 7 and February 8. Her unwavering stance persisted throughout the trial, excluding any other potential suspects.

A crucial turning point arose when Roberts’s sister, Doris Jean Frazier, provided a vital alibi, testifying that Roberts was at her Dallas home from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on December 30, 1974. Roberts corroborated this, citing employment at a Dallas Thrift Store in December 1974 and recalling his first meeting with Simmons on January 19, 1975, at a party hosted by his brother-in-law.

Simmons, defending himself, claimed to be in Harvey, Louisiana, on December 30, 1974, playing pool at the Agnus Pool Hall and Joe’s Lounge. He vehemently stated that he didn’t set foot in Oklahoma until January 5, 1975, when he arrived at his aunt’s residence.

The defense introduced Ronald Murphy’s testimony, revealing a flawed identification process, as he was initially tied to the crime but later proven to be at work during the incident. Multiple witnesses supported Simmons’s alibi, confirming his presence in Harvey on December 30, 1974, including Dorothy Norris, Robert Antoine, Richard Wilson, and John Bradley.

Despite these robust defenses, two police officers contested Murphy’s identification during the prosecution’s rebuttal. On June 5, 1975, Simmons and Roberts were convicted of capital murder, and in July 1975, they both received death sentences, casting a lingering shadow over their claims of innocence.

Glynn Simmons freed

Glynn Simmons’ Journey to Innocence

July 1975 brought a shocking verdict: Glynn Simmons and Don Roberts faced death sentences, despite the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling against the death penalty in 1972. Oklahoma swiftly adapted laws to comply with legal mandates.

By 1977, as the Oklahoma Criminal Court of Appeals reviewed their case, the state Supreme Court had already commuted all pre-July 24, 1976 death penalties to life imprisonment without parole. Their destinies shifted, sparing them from the threat of execution.

In 1995, trial prosecutor Robert Mildfelt’s revelation uncovered Belinda Brown’s hesitance before identifying Simmons. Despite Mildfelt’s subsequent support for Simmons in parole attempts, the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board repeatedly denied his release.

Undaunted, Simmons faced rejections for post-conviction relief in 1997 and a federal habeas corpus petition in 1998. With private investigator Charles Michael Nobles’ aid, Simmons unearthed undisclosed records from Edmond, revealing Brown’s identification of Delbert Patterson during lineups, highlighting her doubts and the subsequent confirmation call.

In January 2023, Simmons’s attorneys, Joseph Norwood and John Coyle, filed for post-conviction relief, citing the prosecution’s failure to disclose crucial evidence. They highlighted Brown’s multiple identifications during lineups and presented witness affidavits placing Simmons elsewhere during the crime.

Expert testimony from Dr. Carlson questioned the reliability of Brown’s identifications due to stress, weapon presence, and inconsistent descriptions. Brown’s contradictory statements about Simmons’s facial hair further undermined her credibility.

March 2023 initiated a hearing on the motion. By April 2023, Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behenna, previously associated with the Oklahoma Innocence Project, moved to annul Simmons’s conviction. Following a July 20, 2023 evidentiary hearing, District Court Judge Amy Palumbo overturned Simmons’s conviction, ordering a new trial.

On July 22, 2023, after enduring 48 years, one month, and 18 days in prison since conviction, Glynn Simmons walked free on bond. In October 2023, Simmons sought a declaration of innocence for state compensation, and on December 19, 2023, Judge Amy Palumbo declared him “actually innocent,” finally concluding Simmons’s enduring quest for justice.

Glynn Simmons was helped by a wonderful team of lawyers

Will Oklahoma State Pay Any Compensation to Glynn Simmons?

Glynn Simmons, born on November 13, 1952, faced a staggering 48 years of wrongful imprisonment despite his innocence. This injustice deprived him of a life he rightfully deserved, stealing precious time and opportunities.

Now that his innocence has been acknowledged, it’s crucial for Oklahoma to rectify its grievous error by compensating Glynn for the immense harm caused. Experts suggest an appropriate compensation of $175,000 from the state, a step toward acknowledging and rectifying the injustice done.

However, obtaining this compensation from the government isn’t a swift process. It could take anywhere from days to years before Glynn receives what he rightly deserves.

In the meantime, you can make an immediate impact by contributing to Glynn Simmons’ GoFundMe page. Every donation, no matter the size, matters greatly. In the description, Glynn outlines how these funds will assist in his housing, clothing, and medical needs. Your support can help Glynn rebuild his life and find the happiness he was unjustly denied for far too long.