Baltimore brothers set free after 24 years in prison for wrongful murder conviction

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Baltimore Sun


Tim PrudenteContact Reporter
The Baltimore Sun
MAY 3, 2019 6:00 PM


A judge set free two brothers from East Baltimore on Friday after finding they had been wrongly convicted of a murder conspiracy 24 years ago.

Kenneth “JR” McPherson, 45, and Eric Simmons, 48, were convicted in May 1995 and sentenced to life in prison. They were exonerated during a hearing in Baltimore Circuit Court, then stepped outside to a crowd of tearful family members.

. . .

Two years ago, the brothers wrote to the state’s attorney’s office, and Lipscomb determined their case should be investigated again. Prosecutors sought help from the innocence projects at George Washington University and the University of Baltimore. The teams of researchers and students hunt for wrongful convictions.

. . .

In 1994, police arrested and accused the brothers of gunning down Anthony Wooden, 21, shortly after midnight in the Broadway East neighborhood of East Baltimore. Police found more than a dozen shots had been fired. They charged McPherson and Simmons with conspiracy to commit murder.


Read more: https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/crime/bs-md-ci-brothers-exonerated-20190502-story.html

[canetoad]

1. I knew before looking up their pics

That these men were black. No one will return the quarter century they spent locked up and wish them the best for the future.

[Cold War Spook]

2. This is why I am against capital punishment.

Bad enough spending most of your life in prison.

[NurseJackie]

4. Yep. You and I think exactly alike.

Can't bring 'em back from the dead.

I believe these two men are deserved some compensation.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

5. I'd bet they'll get some compensation.

I just hope they're smart enough and well-advised enough to make the money last. After 25 years in a cage, I'd probably want to go on some sort of binge, which could be costly.

[padah513]

6. I agree

It's going to take some time to adjust mentally and presumably to their new wealth. I recommend that they move away from the city. Move somewhere quiet that has fresh air, where they can feel the grass beneath their feet. Away from family, friends, and well-wishers.

[Stuart G]

3. k and r...no text.

[iamthebandfanman]

7. End the Death Penalty. n/t

[Eugene]

8. Baltimore brothers wrongfully jailed for 24 years get $3.8m

Source: BBC

Baltimore brothers wrongfully jailed for 24 years get $3.8m

18 June 2020

Two Baltimore brothers who served 24 years in jail for a murder they did not commit have each received $1.9m (£1.5m) compensation from the state.

Eric Simmons and Kenneth "JR" McPherson were released in May 2019 after prosecutors re-examined their cases and found errors by investigators.

It comes amid a national debate in the US over how to reform the police and criminal justice system.

Both men, who are black, had alibis for the 1994 killing.

They were in their early 20s when they were jailed for murdering a 21-year old man in East Baltimore, Maryland.

The Innocence Project, which worked to uncover new evidence in the case, says police pressured a 13-year-old suspect to identify Mr Simmons and Mr McPherson, and threatened the boy with murder charges if he refused.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53098758


Both men were released together in May 2019 (CBS)