Our Story
In 1998 I watched an HBO documentary called "The Farm: Life in Angola Prison." The film featured portraits of 5 inmates. Vincent Simmons's story bothered me deeply, and like many others the parole board scene floored me. Years later I became one of Vincent's main supporters. The level of corruption and racism I've discovered since then will blow your mind.
In May 1977, in the small town of Marksville, Louisiana, Vincent was arrested for the aggravated rape of two 14-year-old twin girls. the information that led to his arrest were the twins' claim that a black man had raped them, a black man they would not be able to identify because "all blacks look alike." (However, they didn't use the word 'blacks'). Needing to make an arrest to pacify the alleged victims' family members - who were threatening to take the law into their own hands - the police did their usual, and picked up a black man that they were looking to get off the streets, man they had no reason to suspect of the alleged crimes other than because of his skin color. Vincent was put into a line-up where he was the only one wearing handcuffs and allegedly identified by the girls. Later that night, Officer LaBorde,a relative of the twins, shot Vincent in the chest inside the police station, nearly killing him. Vincent's side of the story is that they shot him because he would not confess. The cops' side is that Vincent magically got out of his handcuffs, disarmed one of the officers, pointed the gun at LaBorde, screamed, "You will never take me alive you sons of bitches," and repeatedly pulled the trigger, but miraculously, the gun continually misfired, click, click after click, and then Officer LaBorde was forced to shoot Vincent in the chest. However, Vincent was never brought up on any charges stemming from the cops' storyline, such as attempted murder and attempted escape, and the incident was never brought up in court.
Vincent was found guilty some two months later and sentenced to 100 years in Angola Prison. Key evidence was never handed over to defense attorney Harold Brouilette for discovery, evidence such as a doctor's report that showed one of the twins was still a virgin after the alleged attacks, which alone would have created the reasonable doubt. There was no physical evidence presented, no evidence that any rapes even occurred. In trial, the twins claimed that their attacked had told them his name, yet in their statements and interviews, they claimed they had no clue who had attacked them, other than he was black.
Vincent was originally charged with two counts of aggravated rape, punishable by death at the time of accusal. Only after the US Supreme Court invalidated the death penalty in Coker v. Georgia did the prosecution quickly amend the charges to aggravated attempted rape.
The list of inconsistencies and the evidence of corruption is too extensive to list.
Yet, in 34 years, while constantly struggling through the legal process, Vincent hasn't even been awarded an evidentiary hearing, which is guaranteed to him by the US constitution in Brady v. Maryland. Brady Claims ensure that someone who has been convicted of a crime has a right to a hearing if evidence appears later that was submerged by the prosecution, if evidence of prejudice exists, and if it is likely that had the evidence been shown at trial, a different outcome would have been likely.
It is quite obvious that Vincent's situation constitutes a Brady Claim. Yet he and countless other prisoners are denied their Brady Claims daily, simply because they cannot afford to hire an attorney and are forced to represent themselves pro se.
The Impact
Without support and exposure, Vincent will most likely remain in prison. The documentary film I am making will expose Vincent's situation to the world, generate support, and shed light on other prisoners who are facing the same struggle for their basic rights against the deeply flawed and corrupted legal system in Louisiana. It's one thing to be unaware of the situation. It's another to know and do nothing. It's even another to know and do nothing and justify it by saying one case won't make a difference. The truth is one case will make a difference. It's how the legal system is designed.
What We Need & What You Get
As I said, we need support and exposure. The film is intended to create just that. Ultimately, we need this support and exposure to hire Vincent a competent attorney to work toward his release and to generate support for a National Defense Fund for the Falsely Accused. We need to raise $10,000 to shoot the documentary in Louisiana and to promote the film. Any investment you can offer will be dedicated to pursuing humanity, and you will contributing positively and actively toward a greater good.
Donate $1-$20 and receive a DVD of the film.
Donate $100 and receive a signed DVD and Vincent Simmons T-shirt.
Donate more than $200 and receive signed DVD, 2 T-shirts and a thank you credit in the film.
Donate $500 or more and receive all of the above plus a personal letter from Vincent.
Donate $1000 or more and receive all of the above plus a personalized video message from Vincent and special mention in the film's credits.
Donate: $2500 or more and receive all of the above plus associate producer credit in the film.
Other Ways You Can Help
Write letters to and email potential supporters. You can write your own, or just cut and paste this page.
Tell people. Refer them to www.freevincent,com . Refer them to Vincent's Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=120705110182
Start your own page.
Build a website. If we bombard the internet, the movement will grow.
Write to Vincent:
Vincent Simmons
#85188 TU L-D-8
LA. State Prison
Angola, LA 70712
