Vincent Simmons freed from prison after 44 years as judge rules he did not get fair trial on rape charges in 1977
Judge ordered new trial but district attorney says they will not prosecute case again
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A Louisiana man was freed after 44 years in prison after new evidence was uncovered in his attempted aggravated rape case.
Vincent Simmons was jailed in 1977 for allegedly attacking twin 14-year-old sisters and had been fighting for decades to clear his name.
Judge Bill Bennet ordered a new trial in the case on Monday, but the district attorney who would prosecute it said he would not retry the 69-year-old.
“I find that the time limitations have been overcome by the allegations of new evidence and in the interest of justice,” said Judge Bennett on Monday, as he told the court he took “no opinion” on whether Mr Simmons was guilty or innocent.
Mr Simmons had attempted at least 16 times to get a new trial, maintaining his innocence and arguing he did not receive a fair trial.
He had tried for three decades to get the new evidence heard, including a medical examination report where a doctor wrote that one of the alleged victims was a virgin, even though she claimed she was raped.
The doctor also stated that when he examined the girls two weeks after the alleged attack, there were no signs of a sexual assault on either.
The alleged victims, who were white, also told the sheriff that they did not know who their attacker was, and allegedly told him that he was Black and that “all Black people look alike”, according to CBS News.
Lawyers for Mr Simmons say that the evidence was never shared with his defence team, which prosecutors have denied.
“The fact that he’s not angry … that’s the thing about Vincent. If I was Vincent, I’d be angry. He’s not angry. He forgives them because he knows vengeance isn’t his,” his lawyer, Justin Bonus, told the news network,
The sisters, who are now 59, maintained to CBS News that they are victims in the case and that Mr Simmons is guilty.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.