Innocent In Prison Project International

[admin]

Vincent A. Simmons, Jr.
# 85188
General Delivery
Louisiana State Prison
Angola, LA 70712
USA

DOB 2/17/1952
possibly innocent

Case No: 37-596
Date of the Crime: 5-9-1977
Date of Conviction: 7-28-1977
Sentence: 100 years (50+50) for two counts of attempted aggravated rape of two fourteen year old white twin sisters.

The original indictment charges were two counts of aggravated rape. Penalty was death.

My name is Vincent Alfred Simmons, Jr. I am from Mansura, Louisiana. I would like to share with you a brief introduction of my situation. I was wrongfully arrested, indicted, tried and subsequently convicted of two counts of rape of two fourteen years old white females and sentenced to two fifty years. I never really knew all the details of the crimes that allegedly happened on May 9th, 1977, in Avoyelles Parish until December 7th, 1994.

I was arrested on May 23rd, 1977, allegedly two weeks after the crime had occurred on May 9th, 1977, and one day after the alleged crime was reported to Police Department in Marksville, Louisiana. According to Police Department’s files/records on May 22nd, 1977, two white females came to the Sheriff’s office, claiming to have been raped by a black man, colored man and nigger. There was a general description: dark black complexion, short hair, weigh 160, high 5/8, age 19-20, name: none. Color eyes: none. The description could fit any number of people. According to the police records, there is nothing to show what had the police to arrest me for the alleged crimes.

At the time of my arrest, the law and the constitutional bill of rights mandated that the police show probable cause to make any arrest of any state and United States citizens.

After my arrest I was placed in a line up, still in handcuffs (!) and subsequently allegedly identified. Thereafter, I was taken into another part of the jail, beaten and shot, because I refused to give or sign a confession admitting to these alleged rapes.

The police officer who investigated, arrested, beat and subsequently shot me, never testified at the trial! I recovered from the gun shot wound. I was convicted and sentenced to the Louisiana State Penitentiary.

After diligently fighting to obtain the police and district attorney’s files/records I finally after sixteen years into my sentence received the police arrest report, the victims’ and their cousin’s statements given to the police upon reporting the alleged rapes on May 23rd, 1977. I also received copies of the medical examiner’s report and findings. I received fotos of the physican line up with me the only one with handcuffs on.

After reviewing this evidence, I knew why the arresting officers did not testify at my trial. To testify at the trial would have proven that the police had no probable cause to arrest Vincent Alfred Simmons, Jr. for the alleged rapes. There was no evidence that anyone of those alleged victims said Vincent Simmons had raped them.

So, rather than provide me with the safe guards that the law and the constitution guarantees me and any other citizen, the right to a fair trial, they chose to deny me that, concealing that evidence from the jury, and went forward with perjury testimonies. According to the evidence there is a grand conspiracy involving the District Attorney, police officers and victims.

The record reflects that the police officers concealed along with the then state district attorney the facts regarding the alleged rapes, and subsequent arrest and shooting of Vincent Simmons. In the police reports, they allege that Vincent Simmons was shot after grabbing another police officer’s gun, and trying to escape. Yet, I never left the room, nor was any gun shot from the alleged gun I supposedly grabbed. I was never charged with attempted murder, nor attempted escape.


www.gabrielfilms.com/ShadowsOfDoubt/VS_project_pg.html
www.gabrielfilms.com/Farm/Farm_project_pg.html

[admin]

From Vincent Simmons
May 12th, 2005


An Open Letter To The Victims

I want this message to go out to the victims of the crime I am alleged to have done.

I am not the man who committed these crimes against you both. I just wanted to say to the both of you, I don’t hold anything against you both nor your family.

When we spoke briefly in the documentary “Shadows Of Doubt”, I wasn’t allowed to express my thoughts and feelings to the both of you. I don’t blame you both for what happened to me. I have examined everything and know that you both were young, and something happened to you, but I wasn’t the person that raped you both.

When I told you both that I forgave you, I meant that from the center of my heart.

I know you were influenced to say, I was the person. So, this is why I said I forgave you all. Those people convinced your young minds at the time to lie under oath and they knew that you all were lying just to convict a black man.

After all these years I have prayed and asked God to reveal the truth.

Those people convinced you all to say, “Vincent Simmons did it, he told us his name the night of the crime.”

God is awesome, because after 20 years he protected your all statements, the medical reports and the police records. The Lord is using me as a symbol to fight the injustice done to poor, black and minority race of people. I know that we are a part of each other’s lives for the rest of our lives.

That is why I prayed and asked God to please allow my heart, soul, mind and body to forgive you all. The Lord has granted me the request. I truly forgive you both. I ask God to bring this issue to a closure by allowing your hearts, minds, souls and bodies to be spiritually cleaned and total peace flows through you both and your family.

I would like to meet you both in the near future and all three of us drink from a glass of water to purify our healing. Forgiveness is a casting away of any and all bad thoughts, feelings and actions toward anyone. I have suffered 28 years of my life. I have grown into a very responsible man. I thank God for allowing me the chance to recognize, receive and use all blessing wisely. I have many positive plans that God wants me to accomplish in this world.

Please, work with me to help better the conditions here on God’s mother earth. If there is any chance of us coming along, then let us bring this matter to a closure, Karen and Sharon.

May God continue to guide, bless and protect you and family.
One love,



Vincent Simmons.

[admin]

June 28th, 2005


The Louisiana Supreme Court has denied Vincent Simmons' case on June 28th, 2005.

[teecee2005]

Note by admin:
This individual has not been verified by Vincent Simmons!
_________________________________________________________

Dear Uncle Vincent:

My heart is deeply sadden to see that the U.S. Supreme Court has failed you. It is one thing to be treated unfairly by your state (state of Louisiana) but by your country (the good old US of A)also is devastating.

I am Tracey, your niece. Your Brother Bruce's oldest daughter. I have been studying your case and going from website to website researching all of the information on it. I want to do my part in helping wherever my assistance can be used. You just let me know.

Uncle Vincent, I am so sorry that you are one of the millions of people incarcerated but yet innocent. My prayer is that with all of the evidence available that God will allow you to find favor.

My heart goes out to the victims Sharon and Karen for what has happened to them but I do and millions of others believe that you were not the person that did this to them. I know that God is a Soverign God and even though the justice system has failed you with the lies told by the two of them, one day it will come to past soon that they will have to reap severely what they have sown.

You see uncle Vincent, you may have been convicted of a crime that you did not commit but trust me they have been convicted also, by God. Every day that goes by, they are fighting the conviction by God of repenting for locking the wrong man up and confessing the truth to the world.

God is a just God though and he will do what he said he is going to do. The day is going to come when they will have to give account for what they did. I do think that they are afraid to confess because of fearing that if they make a true confession, they may face looking at time for perjury.

Troubles don't last always Uncle Vincent....one day, this too shall pass.

God knows what he is doing...He is allowing you to bring the Judicial system out for what is really is. He is allowing the world to see at what level the people in authority(D.A., judge, police, lawyers, etc in Avoyelles Parish) and the state of Louisiana went to with extreme prejudice. Now he is getting ready to show how far it is still going even in the U.S. Supreme Courts with the same prosecutor that tried and convicted you now sits.

Prejudice can move all around and even get higher and higher but one day, everything up must come down. God is the only one that sits high and He looks low. Having done all to stand uncle Vincent, just stand because in due time, you will reap a harvest that rich and flowing with milk and honey.

Everything that the devil meant for bad, God will turn it around for your good. Everything that he has stolen from you, he will return it to you one hundred fold. Not only will cause you to find favor because not every one in this world is wicked but he using you for a plan that he has in mind that will change the way the Judicial system is failing the innocent.

One man used by God to bring about a change forever. God is going to bring this case to closure soon because he is faithful and just to do that. Okay, it went to the Supreme Courts and was denied, this is the way God wanted it. Why? Because he did not want man to say that he got you off and get all of the credit and because he wanted the case to go to it's highest and be rejected so that he can step in.

Pray and stay prayed up because God is getting ready to do something so big until now only the Supreme Courts will believe it. God is going to move on the hearts of your enemies to start bringing out the truth. All it takes is for God to move on the heart of one man/woman that is sensitive enough to hear and obey his voice. God is in control uncle Vincent and He is going to work in your favor just don't give up. The light at the end of the tunnel is about to shine upon you.

Just when everyone thinks that it is over since it went to the Supreme Courts and was denied they figure thats the highest it can go and once denied, always denied. Not true. God is higher and all powerful and he will cause the highest to fall to their knees and repent.

Uncle Vincent I know that you have been praying and praying for years. When you pray call out every name you know that put you behind bars and ask you God to minister to their hearts abundant conviction until they cannot take it anymore and they confess openingly before all men. After you pray for them, call it into existance that they shall confess openly in the name of Jesus. Then, finally thank God for moving on their hearts and bringing everything you prayed for to past.

Let this be your prayer. Keep the faith and stand firm continuously. You have to call those things which are not as though they were until they are manifested by God.

God is so awesome. He will do it.

Uncle Vincent my email address is : teecee_n_dallas@yahoo.com

I don't know if you are able to email me but I will be writing you soon. I will not put my address on this site. Please look forward to my letter in the mail. If it will be better to communicate on this site please let me know.

I am going to get with the two ladies to see what all I can do to help.

Love you always & Keeping you in our prayers,



Tracey Simmons

[admin]

Dear Tracey and those who may have misunderstood something,

Vincent Simmons still has a chance in court and this is why he is presently begging for funds for his lawyer, who is going to represent him and his case in the United States District Court in Shreveport, Louisiana (Western District of Louisiana).

If necessary, your uncle will proceed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit located in New Orleans, Louisiana and eventually there would be the United States Supreme Court in Washington, D.C.

Tracey, thank you for your posting. Your uncle will be happy to read from you, when you write to him. Inmates do not have access to the internet, but your messages here are welcomed any time.
_________________
Katja Pumm
www.iippi.org
Innocent In Prison Project International

"Stop Indifference And Injustice Before The Next Victim Is You!"

[teecee2005]

Thank You,

Can you please give me the dates he will be going to court. Who do I need to get in contact with to give funds and find out more of what is going on with uncle Vincent? I would like to help and do my part.

[admin]

There are no dates yet, because lawyers usually do nothing without being paid.
Tracey, I suggest you write to your uncle and he will be happy to answer all the questions you have. You find his mailing address on the top of this thread.

Thank you!
_________________
Katja Pumm
www.iippi.org
Innocent In Prison Project International

"Stop Indifference And Injustice Before The Next Victim Is You!"

[admin]

Raped – Beyond A Shadow Of Doubt
Opinion by Katja Pumm
September 2nd, 2005


Yesterday I received this book “Raped Beyond A Shadow Of Doubt” from Amazon and I read it right away. I like the cover very much, but I am better discussing the content of this book. The characters are larger than average, the language is kept in a simple English (important to know for us foreigners *wink*) and it does not consist of more than 131 pages. Therefore, it is a quite comfortable and relaxing reading for a couple of hours.

I agree with the gentleman David Huffman, who was the first one who wrote an opinion on this new book, in one point. It definetely is a good book for rape victims. The message of this book is that rape victims are not alone. This book will give them hope and strength to speak out. In fact, when you were raped, it is your right and perhaps also your duty not to be ashamed, not feel guilty and not to hide the crime, because a rapist will rape again, if s/he (also females sexually abuse others!) is not rehabilitated. I am not sure though, whether or not rapists belong in prison. I mean, nowadays there are alternatives to prisons. It definetely also depends on the case. However, a defendant is supposed to be innocent until proven guilty. I hope you agree with me in this point.

I am grateful for this book, because it describes in an impressive manner the victims side of the story. The documentary “Shadows of Doubt” and “The Farm” seemed to be a kind of one sided, indeed, and this is why I could not wait to learn more about what the rape victims had to say. Those who have read this book and know the documentaries know both sides of the story now: Karen Sanders’ + Sharon Sanders’ side and Vincent Simmons’ side.

Basically it is the victims’ word (victims = eyewitnesses) against the alleged rapist’s word plus his longer list of evidence. His list contains more than the line-up picture and the medical examiner’s statement that Sharon Sanders’ “hymen was still intact”. The D.A. referred people to the trial transcripts. Also police reports (affidavits and warrants, transcripts of taped statements, voluntary statements), Coroner report, photographs, Vincent Simmons’ FBI criminal history, tens of motions, etc. can be reviewed at the Clerk of Court’s office in Marksville, Louisiana. It is public record.
By the way, the name of the coroner of the Avoyelles parish/ medical examiner of the victims was not Dr. Laborde (as claimed in this book), but Dr. F.P. Bordelon, Jr.

I see that Vincent Simmons presents his truth and that the victims present theirs. Now, I would like to get an equally detailed information from the former Sheriff and his staff, who “decided” to arrest Mr. Simmons approximately 15 hours after the crime had been reported. My basic questions to them are:

What evidence (DNA/ body fluids/ hair, fibers, FINGERPRINTS, footprints, GUN, clothes, etc.) did you obtain at the crime scene (=> the car) and/or in Vincent Simmons’ possession?

What overwhelming evidence did corroborate your assumption without a shadow of doubt (remember: nobody had named the rapist by name!), that you were going to arrest the true perpetrator?

Does exist a line-up picture, in which Vincent Simmons is not handcuffed?

What exactly does “indecent behavior with a juvenile” mean? May it be “talking about sex”? If so, how many million people on the internet commit this crime on a daily basis without being reported to police? [Note: According to the FBI criminal history, Vincent Simmons himself was still a teenager at that point of time.]

Why has Mr. Simmons never been charged for attempted escape and murder, which had allegedly justified to shoot him after the line-up?

Those who are of the opinion that a rape victim will never identify the wrong person, may want to read this article www.truthinjustice.org/jennifer-and-ronald.htm .
Eyewitness expert Dr. Shomer testified in court on behalf of a defendant in California that people often describe having seen what they expected to see, rather than what they actually saw. In addition, people of one race often describe people of another race less accurately than people of their own race. The degrees of concentration and stress during a particular situation may affect a person's perceptions and recollections. Thus, in situations where a gun has been used to threaten, people often concentrate on the gun and not on the face of the person using the gun. The memory also changes to make pieces fit together.
Dr. Shomer testified to those procedures that make photographic and live line-ups fair and those that bias the results. For example, in a photographic line-up, all the photographs should show the participants dressed alike. Further, when a witness testifies at a preliminary hearing, there is increased suggestability because only one possible suspect is present. Thus, by the time a witness testifies at trial, he or she has usually made a commitment to an earlier identification, even though it may be inaccurate.
In addition, when witnesses have experienced trauma, such as being victims in a crime, they generally perceive the perpetrator to be taller and bulkier than he or she actually is. Without the traumatic situtation present, most people will take little note of the facial characteristics of someone presenting himself for something as ordinary as directions.
See www.iippi.org/inmates/california/thaddeusdalehamilton.html .

Note: “…it [the book Raped Beyond A Shadow Of Doubt] will fall under the category of true crime for those who enjoy non-fiction law and order stories.”

Judy Benitez, who was representing the Louisiana Foundation on Sexual Assault, stated in the documentary “Shadows of Doubt” that it was “interesting to see, who got a life sentence and a 5-year sentence.” Karen Sanders admits in her book, she was not a virgin, because she had been molested by her Mom’s first cousin. Did her Mom’s cousin receive a 50 year sentence for that crime? Was he arrested, tried, convicted and incarcerated at all? I think no, because otherwise Vincent Simmons’ trial and the night of May 9th of 1977 would not have been Karen’s worst experiences, plus her childhood would not have been terminated by a violent African American but rather her own relative!
_________________
Katja Pumm
www.iippi.org
Innocent In Prison Project International

"Stop Indifference And Injustice Before The Next Victim Is You!"

[angelncarlo]

I have to say this people do not be fooled by this sad character this is not really his character . In 1999 he went before the pardon board .I was there at Angola. The first judge on the pardon board was indeed African America, so am I he told vincent" you have been here 22 years for misconduct and you have not learned your lesson, I deny your plea." In priaon he has been in lockdown for rioting, arson , misconduct 133 times!!!!. Before the rape he ran from state to state committing crimes in Tex,LA, and Miss. He and his buddies did away with a man over there . It is deeper than 2 counts of rape its attempted murder, he would have killed those 2 girls and there cousin who jsut wanted to het to the hospital to be with his newborn if he had a match he poured gasoline all over the car but couldnt find a match.also he tried pushing it in the river but couldnt he didnt want to get wet. He was arrested and whern they were trying to book him and disarmed a police officer screaming "youll never take me alive" he wanted to kill all 3 deputies and did disarm him does that sound inncoent .That was his plan then he could have ran . He was also not arrested when he was picked out of a lineup that was after he was picked out by all 3 kids who were in seperate rooms . How they all knew #4 out of the 8 all black men?Coincedince i think not. he trys to twist all the facts . How'd they know his name and allp piont him out . Millions of people know he is where he belongs so he dont hurt anyone else. No one in there right mind would want to meet this man alone in an ally or gas station at night or anywhere.I know him personally. District attorney said "he should never be on the streets again" .He would have killed those 3 kids and 3 deputies if hed had the chance he tried with all his might to shut everyone up so he could keep doing harm every where hed go. He said "i dont fight i shoot!' This man lied so long he believes hiself.I am not trying to hurt the family but the comments about my family hurt this is the truth and who does know the truth The ALMIGHTY FATHER keith,sharon,karen,vincent . God does NOT SLEEP and imagine if that was your babies raped,and left to die in a trunk hearing the other ones screams and you cant help them out its a nightm,are just think back when you were that age or your child in that situation would youwant the man walking the streets for you to look at? The blind follow the blind they both fall in the ditch Lord thank you for being such a great god and letting justice shine through you know the truth jesus

[admin]

I agree with you that only Keith, Sharon, Karen and Vincent know the truth. Are you one of them?

Vincent Simmons was convicted for two counts of ATTEMPTED aggrevated rape. He has never been charged with attempted murder in this rape case, nor has he ever been charged with attempted murder after the incident after the line-up. I wonder why?

When we look at the line-up picture we see one white guy (they were not 8 black men as you wrote!) and seven African Americans. Why was a caucasian placed in the line-up since the perpetrator was described as a black man and nigger?
How can anyone on the one hand say that all blacks look alike, and on the other hand pick the right guy out of seven African Americans without a shadow of doubt?



When we look closer, we recognize that there is only one individual (#4) with a ring...and in handcuffs. This individual is Vincent Simmons. He still wore that ring as many men in the free world wear rings. If those other individuals in the line-up had not been in jail already, they definetely had had a ring on their finger(s), too.
The perpetrator's hair was described as short. There is at least one subject (#1) in the line-up foto (plus the white person (#eight)) who does not really have short hair. Another African American (#7) has plaited hair, so it cannot have been short either.
The perpetrator's age was described as around 20 years. The individual #6 looks much older than 20. The same applies to individual #1.
Four people in the line-up did not match the description of the perpetrator at all. I have the impression that the entire line-up procedure was manipulative and therefore prejudicial.

According to the police report (that describes the procedure of the line-up) made by Lt. Robert Laborde on May 25th, 1977, all three eye-witnesses Karen, Sharon and Keith were in the same room. They were not in different rooms as you claim.

A document signed by Capt. Juneau and Lt. Laborde before Judge Earl Edwards on May 24th, 1977, states that Vincent Simmons "was in possession of a brown handle pistol about six or seven inches long that said Simmons has been arrested, but the above which was in his possession at the time of the rape, were not recovered."

Fotos were taken of the car, in which the rapes allegedly had taken place, but obviously it was never examined for any kind of traces. Thus, basic investigative work was not conducted according to the public record. I am asking, how does anyone want to find the true culprit, when one does not know how to identify him?

[admin]

Board of Pardons: Hearing denied

Date 10-19-05

Board of Pardons: Hearing on application for commutation of sentence denied.

[admin]

Vincent Simmons finds this article very interesting and he wants to share it with you.


Justices Get Case Where Death Row, DNA Collide
By David G. Savage, Times Staff Writer


WASHINGTON — The major death penalty case before the Supreme Court this year reads like a "whodunit," as one judge put it. But if there is doubt about who did it, should the defendant be on death row?

The justices will hear the case Jan. 11. And though they might not solve the murder mystery, the case should give an early clue on whether the high court, now led by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., is willing to overturn a death sentence if an inmate's guilt is in doubt.

Read on here:
http://www.latimes.com/

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

House v. Bell (No. 04-8990)
Argued: January 11, 2006 -- Decided: June 12, 2006
See http://iippi.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6545

[admin]

An Update on My Legal Struggle/ Filed Motions

The Louisiana Supreme Court denied my case last summer as you read on page 1 of this news forum. My lawyer filed a Motion For Reconsideration that has been pending a decision since the Hurricane Katrina hit. They just denied that motion on January 27th, 2006.

My federal Writ of Habeas Corpus was filed here in Baton Rouge, Middle District Court, on February 13th, 2006.

Vincent Simmons

[nancil06]

Honestly, being raped is something that I fear the most. I have read many horrible, true stories but none have saddened me nor scared me as much as Raped: Beyond A Shadow Of A Doubt, maybe be the story happened locally. Although I know there are some innocent people in prison, I don't think that 3 teens would have done such a thing to put Mr. Simmons in prison. As a girl myself, I would never lie, much less lie and write a book about my lies if being raped. Reading the book makes me hurt, and I cried thinking, "Why do people do this. Damned horny bastards." I am happy you God, and I hope that you enter Heaven, and that you (guilty or not) and the Sanders Sisters can be at peace with Jesus for eternity, and the thoughts of what happened in the past will be erased from your memories.

[admin]

Nancil06, there are various motives why people lie. Some want to harm others. Some are crying for attention. Some just want to protect themselves or those they love. Especially 14 y/o teens can easily be manipulated at times.

Karen writes in her book, "It was one thing to tell them what had happened, but to tell them who had done it was a whole different ballgame."

I am pretty sure that it has never been the twins' intention to put the wrong person in prison.
_________________
Katja Pumm
www.iippi.org
Innocent In Prison Project International

"Stop Indifference And Injustice Before The Next Victim Is You!"