*Glynn Simmons is a former death row inmate who was recently released after 48 years in prison. As the longest-serving prisoner to gain exoneration, he is now speaking out about finally gaining his freedom.
“I’m happy, and I’m free. It’s a long, long struggle. I don’t know man. I’m not usually at a loss for words. Not something you can describe,” Simmons told The Black Wall Street Times.
Simmons served nearly five decades in prison for a crime he claims he didn’t commit. He has spent the last 25 years trying to prove he was wrongfully convicted for the 1975 shooting of two women. He finally had his day in court on Tuesday when Oklahoma County District Judge Amy Palumbo approved the request to vacate his conviction, according to The Black Wall Street Times.
“Glory to the most high,” Simmons told the outlet.
Joseph Norwood, the attorney for Simmons, claims that Simmons holds the record for the longest-serving exoneree. It is now his goal to help remove the obstacles that prevent prisoners from presenting new evidence.
“They did it to me for 25 years. I gave them notice 25 years ago” he said about evidence supporting his innocence. “I’m fighting cancer plus I’m fighting my case.”
“To me what it says is the system’s gotten better, things have advanced,” attorney Norwood told The Black Wall Street Times on Tuesday about his client’s exoneration. “They’re not to where they need to be by any means. The system that screwed up has now fixed it, too. Almost 50 years too late. But still fixed it. Nothing can be do to really fix it, but it has been addressed.”
A GoFundMe has been set up to help Simmons transition back into society.
“Just happy that we can move on to focus on his health and how he’s going to survive moving forward,” Norwood said.
“We’re glad this is behind us, but the fight’s not over. Big win. Big stepping stone but a lot still to do to make sure he can enjoy this as long as possible.”
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