Oklahoma City to Pay Over $7 Million to Exonerated Former Death Row Inmate

EDMOND, Okla. — In a significant development, an Oklahoma city has agreed to pay over $7 million to Glynn Ray Simmons, a former death row inmate who was exonerated after spending nearly five decades behind bars. This settlement marks Simmons as the longest-serving inmate in U.S. history to be declared innocent of a crime.

The Edmond City Council reached a unanimous decision on Monday to settle the lawsuit filed by Simmons for $7.15 million. The agreement was made without any discussion during the meeting.

Attorney Elizabeth Wang, representing Simmons, expressed that “Mr. Simmons spent a tragic amount of time incarcerated for a crime he did not commit.” She emphasized that while he can never regain those lost years, this settlement will help him move forward in his life.

The lawsuit also included claims against the city of Oklahoma City and a retired detective who worked on the case. However, these allegations remain unresolved and are still pending in court.

On Wednesday, a spokesperson for Oklahoma City noted that the city refrains from commenting on ongoing litigation.

The core of the lawsuit revolves around accusations that police officials fabricated a report claiming that a shooting victim had identified Simmons and his co-defendant, Don Roberts, as the individuals who committed the robbery and shooting at a liquor store. Furthermore, the lawsuit contends that crucial evidence was suppressed, indicating that the witness had actually pointed to two different suspects.

Simmons was released from prison in July 2023 when a judge overturned his conviction and mandated a new trial. In September, District Attorney Vickie Behenna announced that she would not pursue a retrial, citing the absence of any physical evidence against Simmons.

In December, a judge officially exonerated Simmons, stating there was “clear and convincing evidence” proving his innocence. Following his exoneration, Simmons was awarded $175,000 from the state of Oklahoma as compensation for the wrongful conviction.

Having spent a staggering 48 years, one month, and 18 days in prison, Simmons has been recognized as the longest-incarcerated individual to be exonerated in the United States, according to data from The National Registry of Exonerations.

Simmons and Roberts were both convicted of the murder of liquor store clerk Carolyn Sue Rogers and initially received death sentences. Following U.S. Supreme Court rulings regarding capital punishment, their sentences were commuted to life in prison in 1977. Roberts was eventually paroled in 2008.

Simmons, who has consistently asserted that he was in Louisiana at the time of the crime, has faced a long and arduous journey to reclaim his life and dignity after decades of wrongful imprisonment. His case shines a spotlight on issues surrounding wrongful convictions and the need for accountability within the criminal justice system.

This settlement comes at a time when conversations about justice reform and the importance of accurate investigations are increasingly prevalent, further emphasizing the need for vigilance in the enforcement of law and order.