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Oklahoma city to pay over $7 million to cleared death row inmate who spent almost half a century in prison

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Oklahoma city to pay over  million to cleared death row inmate who spent almost half a century in prison


Edmund, Okla. — 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.

He was 22 years old when he was convicted, CBS Oklahoma City affiliate KWTV points out.

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The lawsuit makes similar claims against Oklahoma City and a retired Oklahoma City detective who also investigated the robbery and shooting that wound up putting Simmons behind bars. Those claims aren’t affected by the settlement and are still pending.

Wang noted in her statement that, “We are very much looking forward to holding them accountable at trial in March,” according to KWTV.

A spokesperson for Oklahoma City said Wednesday that the city doesn’t 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 a store and shot a clerk.

The lawsuit also alleges police withheld evidence that the witness identified two other people as suspects.

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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 wouldn’t 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 didn’t 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.

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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.



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Oklahoma

Flooded roads prompt travel warnings across Northeast Oklahoma

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Flooded roads prompt travel warnings across Northeast Oklahoma


NOWATA COUNTY, Okla. –

Nowata County Emergency Management is urging motorists to avoid several roads across the county as flooding continues following recent heavy rainfall.

Officials reported water over a bridge on County Road 408 south of Road 2, between Roads 2 and 3.

Roads to Avoid
Emergency management officials issued the following road advisories:

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  • Road 21 between Roads 420 and 419
  • Road 419 north of U.S. Highway 60
  • Road 420 between Roads 27 and 28
  • Road 27 west of Road 421 near Panther Creek

Officials say these roads should be avoided because of flooding.

Road 2 Closed
Emergency management also announced that Road 2 (EW 2) is closed.

Officials said some areas of the roadway have approximately 12 inches of standing water.

Drivers are encouraged to avoid flooded roadways and seek alternate routes until water recedes.





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523 animals rescued in SE Oklahoma City meth bust, animal welfare overwhelmed

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523 animals rescued in SE Oklahoma City meth bust, animal welfare overwhelmed


OKLAHOMA CITY –

Resources at Oklahoma City’s Animal Welfare are stretched thin after taking in more than 500 animals in an emergency rescue. Police arrested four people and saved the animals on Thursday in a methamphetamine bust at a home near southeast 15th and High Avenue.

FIRST REPORTED: Four arrested after 30 pounds of meth, hundreds of animals seized from Oklahoma City home

Oklahoma City’s Development Services Director Brock Rowe answered questions about the largest animal seizure in the city’s history.

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How many animals were rescued and what species were found?

Animal control officers rescued 523 animals. There were about 470 ducks, chickens, pigeons, and peacocks gathered from the property. Officers took 49 dogs, an unspecified number of cats, one horse, and reptiles.

What is the latest on the animals’ health and condition?

The animals were “taken care of pretty good” and did not appear to be severely abused of malnourished. The situation is believed to be animal hoarding, meaning there were simply too many animals on the property. Staff worked overnight to ensure the animals have food, clean water, bedding and proper car.

What resources is the shelter using to care for so many animals?

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The shelter is using temporary crates, kennels, and indoor spaces to accommodate the overflow, especially for birds, while larger animals like the horse are kept outside. Animal welfare officials are reaching out to local partners and organizations that specialize in livestock and birds to help house and care for some of the animals. The shelter is running a “name your price” adoption event to quickly move existing animals out and free up space.

Are the animals considered evidence, and when could they become available for adoption or transfer?

The animals are currently on hold as evidence, and adoption or transfer will only happen after the legal process determines when they can be released.

What is the status of the criminal investigation, and are additional charges expected?

Police arrested four men on drug trafficking complaints during the warrant search. No word if the men will face charges for the animals.

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Texas A&M makes massive splash in transfer portal landing Oklahoma LHP

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Texas A&M makes massive splash in transfer portal landing Oklahoma LHP


Texas A&M baseball made a massive splash in the transfer portal Friday morning with the pickup of a premier left-hander from a Southeastern Conference foe.

Oklahoma southpaw Trent Collier is returning to his home state to play for the Aggies in 2027, according to reports from TexAgs’ Richard Zane. Collier pitched for the national-championship-winning Sooners this past season, posting a 3.80 ERA through 23.2 innings pitched and striking out 28 hitters. He was called upon for two appearances in Oklahoma’s postseason run to the national title, allowing no hits with two strikeouts against Georgia Tech and North Carolina.

Collier will come to Bryan-College Station to pitch for the Fightin’ Texas Aggies as a junior for head coach Michael Earley in 2027.

Rebuilding a depleted pitching staff was one of the top priorities for Earley this offseason, after posting a 5.24 team ERA in 2026. Collier is the sixth pitcher to commit to the Aggies out of the transfer portal and the ninth overall addition.

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The lefty from Prosper, Texas, began his college career at Weatherford Junior College before landing with the Sooners. He made eight appearances, including nine starts, and earned second-team all-conference for recording a 2.65 ERA and 85 strikeouts across 68.0 innings.

After the program parted ways with Jason Kelly, following the regional final loss to USC in College Station, new pitching coach Barry Enright has reeled in some of the top-rated pitchers in the country this offseason, including Collier. The former Sooners star will have the opportunity to develop under Enright, who had stints in the MLB with the Oakland Athletics and Los Angeles Angels.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Dylan on X: @dylanmflippo.





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