Current:Home > StocksA city in Oklahoma agrees to pay more than $7 million to an exonerated former death row inmate-InfoLens
A city in Oklahoma agrees to pay more than $7 million to an exonerated former death row inmate
View Date:2024-12-23 18:35:14
EDMOND, Okla. (AP) — An Oklahoma city has agreed to pay more than $7 million to a former death row inmate who was exonerated after nearly 50 years in prison, making him the longest-serving inmate to be declared innocent of a crime.
The Edmond City Council voted without comment on Monday to settle the lawsuit filed by Glynn Ray Simmons, 71, against the Oklahoma City suburb and a former police detective for $7.15 million.
“Mr. Simmons spent a tragic amount of time incarcerated for a crime he did not commit,” his attorney, Elizabeth Wang said in a statement. “Although he will never get that time back, this settlement with Edmond will allow him to move forward” with his life.
The lawsuit makes similar claims against Oklahoma City and a retired Oklahoma City detective, who also investigated the robbery and shooting, which are not affected by the settlement and remain pending.
A spokesperson for Oklahoma City said Wednesday that the city does not comment on pending litigation.
The lawsuit alleges police falsified a report by stating that a witness who was wounded in the shooting identified Simmons and co-defendant Don Roberts as the two who robbed the store and shot the clerk.
The lawsuit also alleges police withheld evidence that the witness identified two other people as suspects.
Simmons was released from prison in July 2023 after a judge vacated his conviction and sentence and ordered a new trial.
District Attorney Vickie Behenna announced in September that she would not retry the case because there is no longer physical evidence against Simmons.
In December, a judge exonerated Simmons, saying there was “clear and convincing evidence” that he did not commit the crime and Simmons has received $175,000 from the state of Oklahoma for wrongful conviction.
Simmons served 48 years, one month and 18 days, making him the longest imprisoned U.S. inmate to be exonerated, according to data kept by The National Registry of Exonerations.
Simmons, who has maintained that he was in Louisiana at the time of the crime, and Roberts were both convicted of the murder of the liquor store clerk, Carolyn Sue Rogers, and sentenced to death.
Their sentences were reduced to life in prison in 1977 after U.S. Supreme Court rulings related to capital punishment and Roberts was released on parole in 2008.
veryGood! (67)
Related
- How Jersey Shore's Sammi Sweetheart Giancola's Fiancé Justin May Supports Her on IVF Journey
- How to save for retirement with $1 million in the bank by age 62
- Tiger Woods' 16-Year-Old Daughter Sam Serves as His Caddie at PNC Championship
- NFL playoff clinching scenarios: Cowboys, Eagles, Ravens can secure berths in Week 15
- Florida man’s US charges upgraded to killing his estranged wife in Spain
- Israel is using an AI system to find targets in Gaza. Experts say it's just the start
- Mississippi State QB Will Rogers transfers to Washington after dominant run in SEC
- How to save for retirement with $1 million in the bank by age 62
- Celtics' Jaylen Brown calls Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo a 'child' over fake handshake
- Jake Browning legend continues as the Bengals beat the Vikings
Ranking
- Is the stock market open on Veterans Day? What to know ahead of the federal holiday
- Can a state count all its votes by hand? A North Dakota proposal aims to be the first to try
- Nationwide 'pig butchering' scam bilked crypto victims out of $80 million, feds say
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle release virtual Christmas card
- Why Officials Believe a Missing Kayaker Faked His Own Death and Ran Off to Europe
- Inflation has cooled a lot. So why do things still feel so expensive?
- Hypothetical situations or real-life medical tragedies? A judge weighs an Idaho abortion ban lawsuit
- Colts keep playoff hopes alive, down Steelers by scoring game's final 30 points
Recommendation
-
'This dude is cool': 'Cross' star Aldis Hodge brings realism to literary detective
-
Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes fined a combined $150,000 for criticizing officials, AP source says
-
Maury Povich receives lifetime achievement award from wife Connie Chung at Daytime Emmys
-
BaubleBar's 80% Off Sale Will Have You Saying Joy To The World!
-
'Cowboy Carter' collaborators to be first country artists to perform at Rolling Loud
-
WWE star Liv Morgan arrested in Florida on marijuana possession charge
-
DeSantis predicts Trump won't accept results in Iowa or New Hampshire if he loses
-
Mega Millions winning numbers for Dec. 15 drawing; Jackpot at $28 million