Wrong Man Report” : “Wrongfully Convicted: The Story of Glynn Simmons, an Innocent Black Man in 1970s Edmond, Oklahoma

Edmond, Oklahoma has come a long way since its dark past as a sundown town in the 1970s. Back then, the city was primarily inhabited by white families who were fleeing forced school integration in neighboring Oklahoma City. The population was around 16,000, and almost everyone was white, including the police force.

In early 1975, the Edmond police department was focused on solving the murder case of Carolyn Sue Rogers, who was killed in the Edmond Liquor Store shooting. The case had gone cold, with little usable evidence found at the crime scene. The only lead was the eyewitness account of Belinda Brown, who had been shot in the back of the head during the incident.

Despite not being able to identify the suspects from a lineup, the police named Glynn Simmons and Don Roberts, two black men, as the prime suspects in the case. Both men had alibis for the night of the murder, but the police did not believe their evidence to be truthful. Roberts was in Fort Worth, Texas, and Simmons was in Harvey, Louisiana.

The case went to trial, and Simmons and Roberts were convicted of murder and sentenced to death. However, over the years, evidence emerged that pointed to their wrongful conviction. The eyewitness had identified multiple different black men in lineup sessions, and exculpatory evidence was not provided to the defense. Simmons spent nearly five decades behind bars, unable to prove his innocence in court.

In 1997, Simmons hired a private investigator who discovered the missing police report that could have exonerated him. Simmons reached out to the media for help, and his case gained attention. The prosecutor who initially sent Simmons to death row also wrote letters on his behalf, acknowledging the possibility of his innocence.

Now, Simmons is hoping to have his conviction overturned and be released from prison. He maintains his innocence and refuses to show remorse for a crime he did not commit. Despite the challenges he faces, Simmons remains hopeful and determined to prove his innocence.

The case of Glynn Simmons highlights the importance of a fair and just legal system, where all evidence is thoroughly examined and innocence is prioritized over conviction rates. The city of Edmond has transformed significantly since the 1970s, but the legacy of this wrongful conviction remains a stain on its history.