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- Glynn Simmons, 71, was exonerated after serving 48 years in prison for a 1975 murder, marking the longest wrongful sentence in U.S. history.
- Despite his exoneration, Simmons is eligible for only $175,000 in compensation from the state.
- Currently battling cancer, Simmons relies on a GoFundMe campaign for his expenses, having raised $37,000 so far.
Glynn Simmons, who is currently 71 years old, has been exonerated of a murder conviction dating back to 1975. This marks the longest wrongful imprisonment in the history of the United States, as he spent 48 years behind bars for a crime he did not commit.
The prosecution’s case against Simmons rested heavily on the testimony of a crucial witness, who initially identified him in a lineup. However, this witness later contradicted certain aspects of her testimony. Despite the fact that a dozen other individuals testified, affirming that Simmons was in Louisiana at the time of the murder, he was still found guilty in 1975 and initially sentenced to death. Eventually, his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment following Supreme Court rulings.
New information regarding the case came to light when District Attorney Vicki Behenna admitted that crucial evidence was not disclosed to Simmons’ defense team, prompting a reassessment of the situation. One such piece of evidence was a police report revealing that the eyewitness had initially identified several other individuals in multiple lineups before eventually selecting Simmons and his co-defendant, Don Roberts. The lack of physical evidence at the crime scene added further complexity to the case.
After years of maintaining his innocence, Simmons’ case was reevaluated, leading to a new trial being ordered. However, the District Attorney’s office ultimately decided against retrying him, citing the lack of physical evidence. Consequently, Simmons became eligible for up to $175,000 in state compensation for his wrongful conviction. Nevertheless, due to anticipated delays, he currently relies on a GoFundMe campaign to cover his living and medical expenses, particularly for his ongoing liver cancer treatment. The campaign has already raised over $37,000, with a target goal of $50,000.
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