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Featured Criminal Justice Stories


Texas Court Halts Execution of Inmate Robert Roberson Over New Evidence
Texas has halted the execution of Robert Roberson, convicted of killing his daughter, amid doubts about the scientific evidence used in his case, including the validity of shaken baby syndrome diagnosis, his autism diagnosis, and potential judicial bias, highlighting issues in the use of the death penalty in the US.

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48-Year Wrongful Imprisonment Ends: Man Declared Innocent
The Guardian US•2 years ago
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Wrongfully Convicted Man Exonerated After Nearly 50 Years in Prison
An Oklahoma judge has exonerated Glynn Simmons, a man who spent nearly 50 years in prison for a murder he did not commit, making him the longest-serving inmate to be declared innocent. Simmons, who was released in July after key evidence was not disclosed to his defense lawyers, was ruled innocent by Oklahoma County District Judge Amy Palumbo. Simmons, who maintained his innocence throughout his incarceration, is now eligible for compensation and may pursue a federal lawsuit against Oklahoma City and law enforcement involved in his arrest and conviction. However, compensation is likely years away, and Simmons is currently relying on donations while undergoing cancer treatment.

Wrongfully Convicted Man Exonerated After Nearly Half a Century in Oklahoma Prison
Glynn Simmons, an Oklahoma man who served the longest wrongful imprisonment in U.S. history, has been declared innocent of a murder he has always maintained he did not commit. After spending over 48 years in prison, Simmons was released earlier this year when it was determined that prosecutors had violated his right to a fair trial. Oklahoma County District Court Judge Amy Palumbo ruled in favor of Simmons, granting his request for a declaration of "actual innocence." Simmons is now eligible for compensation from the state, but it could be years before he receives any funds. His case highlights the need for justice reform and the importance of listening to the voices of marginalized communities.

Decades of Injustice Overturned: Man Exonerated After 48 Years in Prison
Glynn Simmons, a man from Oklahoma, has been exonerated after spending over 48 years in prison for a murder he did not commit, making it the longest wrongful sentence in the United States. The Oklahoma County District Court ruled that the crime was not committed by Simmons, and important evidence had not been disclosed to his defense lawyers. Simmons, who was released on bond in July, may be eligible for up to $175,000 in compensation and has the opportunity to file a federal lawsuit.

48-Year Wrongful Incarceration Ends: Oklahoma Judge Declares Man Innocent
An Oklahoma judge has ruled that Glynn Simmons, who spent 48 years in prison for murder, is innocent. Simmons, who was released in July after key evidence was not disclosed to his defense lawyers, is the longest-serving inmate to be declared innocent. The ruling makes him eligible for compensation from the state and opens the door for a federal lawsuit against Oklahoma City and law enforcement involved in his arrest and conviction. Simmons, who is currently battling cancer, is living off donations while awaiting potential compensation.

"Wrongfully Convicted Chicago Man Released After 12 Years in Prison"
Darien Harris, who spent 12 years in prison for a murder he maintained he did not commit, had all charges dropped and was released after it was discovered that the star witness who identified him as the shooter was legally blind. Harris, who was just a week away from graduating high school when he was implicated in the 2011 shooting, was exonerated in July but remained in custody until now. His release comes after another wrongful conviction case in Chicago, highlighting the need for justice reform.
Blind witness testimony leads to wrongful murder conviction, man exonerated
Darien Harris, who was convicted of murder based on the testimony of a blind witness, has been released from prison after prosecutors decided not to retry him. Harris spent 12 years behind bars fighting for a new trial and has maintained his innocence throughout. His conviction was primarily based on the testimony of an eyewitness who was legally blind due to glaucoma. Harris' attorney argued that he was wrongfully convicted based on mistaken eyewitness testimony and police misconduct. Prosecutors agreed to vacate his conviction and sentence but ultimately dropped all charges against him. Harris plans to continue fighting for others who he believes have been wrongfully convicted.

"Wrongfully Convicted Chicago Man Freed as Charges Dropped in Murder Case Involving Blind Witness"
Charges have been dropped against Darien Harris, a Chicago man who spent 12 years in prison for a murder conviction that relied heavily on the testimony of a legally blind witness. The witness, who suffered from advanced glaucoma, had limited visibility and surveillance video revealed inconsistencies in his account. Prosecutors initially planned to retry Harris but ultimately dropped the charges after a review of the evidence. Other issues with the case included a recanted statement from the alleged getaway driver and a gas station worker who claimed Harris was not involved. Harris, who maintained his innocence, was released from jail and reunited with his family just in time for the holidays.

Wrongfully Convicted Chicago Man Exonerated After Charges Dropped
Prosecutors in Chicago have dropped all charges against Darien Harris, a man who was wrongfully convicted of a 2011 murder. Harris spent over 12 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. His family and legal team pushed for a review of the case after discovering that the key eyewitness, who testified against Harris, was legally blind. The Exoneration Project at the University of Chicago Law School took up Harris' case and found that there was no physical evidence linking him to the murder. After a judge vacated his conviction earlier this month, prosecutors decided to drop the charges altogether, allowing Harris to go home for the holidays.

Governor Bill Lee Grants Pardons to Local Residents, Including Murder Convict
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee granted pardons to four individuals, including DeAndre Brown, the executive director of Shelby County's Office of Reentry. Brown, who founded the nonprofit LifeLine to Success, helps former inmates reintegrate into society. The governor reviewed each case in consultation with the Tennessee Board of Parole and granted two types of clemency: pardons and commutations to parole eligibility. The pardons signify forgiveness for completed prison sentences, while commutations expedite parole eligibility. The remaining applicants will remain eligible for future clemency.

"42-Year Wrongful Imprisonment Ends: Cousins Exonerated in Landmark Case"
Two cousins in Illinois, James Soto and David Ayala, have been released after spending 42 years wrongfully imprisoned for crimes they did not commit. They were convicted in 1981 for the deaths of two Chicago teenagers and served the longest wrongful conviction sentence in state history. This is the latest in a series of high-profile exonerations this week, including the release of Brian Beals in Cook County, Illinois, and the exoneration of two men in California. Soto, who earned a bachelor's degree while incarcerated, plans to attend law school and help others who have been wrongfully convicted.