Glynn Simmons had been in Oklahoma for six days when he was arrested on suspicion of robbery. He was 21, he didn’t have a criminal record and the police had no obvious reason to pick him up that day in 1975.
The robbery victim didn’t recognise him; Simmons was told he was free to leave. Just as he was about to be released, however, the police told him that they were short of men for a lineup and asked him to take part. Simmons didn’t know that it was within his rights to refuse. His mother had taught him the importance of respecting officialdom. So, dutifully, he took part. It cost him dearly.
