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American court acquits man who spent almost 50 in prison — AP

"This court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the offense for which Mr. Simmons was convicted, sentenced and imprisoned... was not committed by Mr. Simmons," according to the ruling by Oklahoma County District Judge Amy Palumbo

NEW YORK, December 21. /TASS/. A court in Oklahoma acquitted 71-year-old Glynn Simmons, who served 48 years in prison for murder, the Associated Press reported on Wednesday.

"This court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the offense for which Mr. Simmons was convicted, sentenced and imprisoned... was not committed by Mr. Simmons," according to the ruling by Oklahoma County District Judge Amy Palumbo, which is quoted by the agency.

In 1975, the American was sentenced to death, and in 1977 the sentence was replaced with life imprisonment. Simmons spent 48 years, 1 month and 18 days in prison, the longest sentence in US history for a victim of a miscarriage of justice, AP notes. Simmons has the right to demand compensation in the amount of $175,000 from the state.

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