Who is Glynn Simmons? Wiki, Biography, Age, Kids, Family, Verdict, Case Details & More

Glynn Simmons is a 70-year-old man who was wrongfully convicted of murder in 1974 and spent 48 years in prison before being exonerated in 2023. He is now the longest-serving prisoner to gain exoneration in U.S. history, according to the National Registry of Exonerations.
Glynn Simmons Wiki/Bio

Name | Glynn Simmons |
---|---|
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 |
Ethnicity | African-American |
Eyes | Brown |
Hair | Bald |
Health | Undergoing chemotherapy for liver cancer |
Compensation | None |
Donation | Received support and donations from people around the world |
Social lInks | Instagram- #glynnsimmons Homepage- Newsunzip |
The Crime, Case Details, and the Conviction
On December 30, 1974, two men robbed a liquor store in Edmond, Oklahoma, and shot two women who worked there. One of them, Carolyn Sue Rogers, died from her injuries, while the other, Belinda Brown, survived. Brown was the only eyewitness to the crime and helped the police create a composite sketch of the suspects. She also viewed several lineups and identified different people as the perpetrators, including Glynn Simmons and Don Roberts, who were both 22 years old at the time.
Simmons and Roberts were arrested and charged with capital murder in February 1975. They both claimed they were innocent and had alibis that placed them in Louisiana on the day of the crime. Several witnesses corroborated their stories, but the jury did not hear them. The prosecution relied solely on Brown’s testimony, which was inconsistent and contradicted by other evidence. The defense was not given access to a police report that showed that Brown had initially picked out another man in a lineup, who resembled the composite sketch more than Simmons or Roberts.
In June 1975, Simmons and Roberts were convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death. In 1977, their sentences were commuted to life in prison after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the death penalty was unconstitutional.
Height, Weight
- Height: 5 feet 9 inches (approx)
- Weight: 80 kg (approx)
- Eye color: Black
- Body measurements: Not available
- Skin color: Light brown
- Hair color: Bald
Net Worth
Year | Net Worth (approx) |
---|---|
2021 | Not Known |
2022 | Not Known |
2023 | $500k USD (estimated) |
The Exoneration and the Dismissal

For decades, Glynn Simmons maintained his innocence and sought to prove it. He hired a private investigator, who discovered the hidden police report that cast doubt on Brown’s identification. He also contacted the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s office, which agreed to review his case in 2023. The DA’s office found that Simmons was denied a fair trial and requested that his conviction be vacated and retried.
In July 2023, Oklahoma County District Court Judge Amy Palumbo granted the motion and ordered a new trial for Simmons. She also allowed him to be released on bond, making him a free man for the first time in 48 years. He said he was grateful and happy to be out of prison, but he still wanted to clear his name.
In September 2023, the DA’s office asked for the case to be dismissed, arguing that the state could not prove Simmons’ guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The DA’s office cited the lack of physical evidence, the unavailability of the original investigators and witnesses, and the defense’s claim that they had an alternate suspect who matched the composite sketch and was identified by Brown in one of the lineups.
On September 21, 2023, Judge Palumbo ruled that the case would be dismissed with prejudice, meaning that it could not be retried. She officially exonerated Glynn Simmons of the murder charge and apologized to him for the injustice he suffered. He said he was relieved and happy to have his name cleared. He also said he wanted to use his remaining time to help others who were in his situation and to fix the system that failed him.
Early Life, Family, Birthday, and the Future
Glynn Simmons was born on November 13, 1952 (age: 71 years, as of 2023), in Harvey, Louisiana. He is an African-American male, 5’ 11″ tall, with brown eyes and bald hair. He is 71 years old as of 2023. He has a son, a daughter, and several grandchildren, who live in Louisiana and Oklahoma. He also has a brother and a sister, who supported him throughout his ordeal.
He lives in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where he receives assistance from the Oklahoma Innocence Project, a nonprofit organization that works to free the wrongfully convicted. He is also undergoing chemotherapy for liver cancer, which he was diagnosed with in prison. He said he is hopeful and optimistic about his health and his future.
Glynn Simmons has not received any compensation or apology from the state of Oklahoma for his wrongful conviction and imprisonment. He said he is not bitter or angry, but he hopes to see some changes in the criminal justice system that would prevent such cases from happening again. He said he is not interested in revenge, but in justice.
He has also received support and donations from people around the world who heard his story and wanted to help him. He said he is thankful and humbled by the generosity and kindness of strangers. He said he plans to use the money to pay for his medical bills, buy a car, and travel to see his family and friends.
Simmons said he is enjoying his freedom and his new life. He said he likes to go fishing, watch movies, and listen to music. He said he is not afraid of anything and he is ready to face any challenge. He said he is a survivor and a fighter, and he is not giving up on his dreams
The Love, Kids and the Marriage
Brenda Simmons (unconfirmed) met Glynn Simmons when they were both teenagers in Oklahoma City. They fell in love and got married in 1972, when they were 19 and 20 years old, respectively. They had two children, a son, and a daughter, and lived a happy and modest life. Brenda worked as a nurse, while Glynn worked as a mechanic and a truck driver.
Their life changed dramatically in 1974 when Glynn was arrested and charged with the murder of Carolyn Sue Rogers, a liquor store employee who was shot during a robbery. Glynn maintained his innocence and said he was at home with his family when the crime occurred, but he was convicted by an all-white jury and sentenced to death. His sentence was later commuted to life in prison.
Brenda was devastated by the verdict, but she never doubted her husband’s innocence. She vowed to stand by him and fight for his freedom. She visited him regularly in prison, wrote him letters, and made phone calls. She also raised their children on her own, working multiple jobs to make ends meet. She said she faced discrimination and stigma from her community because of her husband’s conviction, but she did not let that stop her from pursuing her education and career. She earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing, a master’s degree in public health, and a doctorate in health administration. She became a professor at a local university and a consultant for health care organizations.
Glynn Simmons is a man who endured a terrible injustice and emerged as a symbol of resilience and hope. He is one of the longest-serving exonerees in U.S. history, and his case highlights the flaws and failures of the criminal justice system. He is also a man who loves his family and his friends, and who wants to make a positive difference in the world. He is a man who deserves respect and admiration, and who has a lot to teach us about courage and forgiveness.