MEAWW.COM / NEWS / CRIME & JUSTICE

Judge frees man after 44 years in prison citing unfair trial over rape of twins, 14

Vincent Simmons, 69, has tried to prove his innocence in court at least 16 times to show evidence that wasn't seen at his original trial

A Louisiana man was freed from jail after 44 years when a judge ruled on Monday, February 13, that he did not have a fair trial in 1977 when he was convicted of attempted aggravated rape by a pair of twins who were 14 at the time.

Vincent Simmons, 69, has tried to prove his innocence in court at least 16 times to show evidence that wasn't seen at his original trial. It's still unclear how Simmons was a suspect in the case, as there is no physical evidence linking him to the rape of Sharon and Karen Sanders, now 59. The twins had picked Simmons out of a police lineup after alleging that a black man raped them.

READ MORE

Two men from Texas wrongfully convicted of stabbing a man to death declared innocent after 19 years

Who did 'Amazing Race's Ryan Ferguson murder? Innocent contestant spent 10 years in prison

Among the new evidence presented to the court was a medical report released two weeks after the alleged incident. The report showed that a doctor had found one of the accusers was a virgin, although it's unclear which sister it referred to. Nonetheless, it stated that the doctor had found no signs of a sexual assault on either of the girls. Another piece of evidence was the girls' testimony to police about their alleged attacker which stated they didn't know what he looked like and couldn't conclusively point him out of a line-up. According to CBS, they simply told police he was black and that "all blacks and n*****s look-alike." The Sanders twins, who spoke publicly for the first time since the conviction, have maintained that Simmons is guilty of raping them.

Furthermore, Simmons reportedly also had a strong alibi. His lawyers and supporters told CNN last year that he was embroiled in a fight at a bar on the other side of Avoyelles Parish on May 9, 1977, around 9 pm, when the alleged rapes were said to occur. Simmons and his attorneys fought for years to have their evidence presented in court, but to no avail until Louisiana Judge Bill Bennett said on Monday that it was sufficient enough to order a new trial. The judge clarified that he had "no opinion" on whether Simmons was guilty or innocent of the alleged crimes. However, Avoyelles Parish District Attorney Charles Riddle said he didn't want the victim "to undergo the trauma of another trial" and therefore, dropped the charges. He allowed Simmons to be released from Angola State Penitentiary three days before his 70th birthday on Thursday, February 17.

"It dawned on me, this is it. You know. Man, we've been waiting all these years for this," Simmons told CBS News upon learning he was a free man. As he left the maximum-security prison on Monday evening, he was greeted by family members and supporters. After dropping the charges against Simmons, Riddle said, "Just in case anyone has any doubt, no this is not a declaration of innocence at all. We attempted to free him months ago because he has served enough time. Let this case be put to bed and the victims free from suffering again."

Meanwhile, the Sanders sisters made their first appearance at a court hearing for Simmons since he was convicted in 1977. They said they wouldn't demand a new trial but maintained their accusations that Simmons is guilty. "He went in guilty. He is guilty now and guess what, he will die guilty. So, I am happy. I got 44 years," Karen Sanders told CBS.

Simmons was asked if he was angry or harbored any ill will against the sisters. "No, I am not mad at them," he told CBS. "I mean that when I told them I forgive them that's what I mean ... forgiveness." He was also asked if he was concerned about the court of public opinion considering he hasn't been exonerated. "People going to be people and some of them are going to say 'he's guilty,' despite the fact that they have no evidence," Simmons responded. He told the outlet that he now plans on leaving Louisiana and starting a new life dedicated to helping other inmates hoping to be freed someday.