Okla. Court Of Criminal Appeals Grants New Trial For Man Convicted Of Double Murder

A man convicted in Oklahoma County of a double murder that happened during a drug deal will get a new trial.

The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals handed down the ruling Thursday to reverse Jamar Simms’ 2018 conviction.

The court’s decision came down to Simms’ alleged role in a drug deal that led to the death of two people. 

Simms was given two life sentences by Judge Ray Elliott for the deaths of Chameeka Harris and Kendre Smith. Investigators at the time said it was a drug deal gone wrong. Harris and Smith were shot to death in 2016 in a car near Northeast 23rd Street and Interstate 35.

Simms was captured and arrested months later in Kansas. A second suspect was never identified or arrested.

In court papers, Simms alleged six errors during his jury trial. The court of criminal appeals agreed with the first stating "the state's evidence was insufficient to prove Simms' guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, making the evidence insufficient to support a conviction."

Prosecutors alleged Simms was selling marijuana to the victims during the deadly shootings. However, Simms appealed on evidence that he was not the drug dealer or an accomplice but the buyer and had no role in the killings. 

The court of criminal appeals does not believe Simms should be held liable for the dealer's crimes.

Oklahoma County district attorney David Prater responded to the decision in a statement:

“I received the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals decision in State v. Simms this morning. After reviewing the Court’s Holding, I have decided to retry the defendant for the two murders he was previously convicted of committing. With the Court’s Mandate in the case, the defendant is again presumed innocent of said charges. As we move forward, the State will proceed consistent with the Court’s interpretation of the Statutes.”

A date for the new trial has not been set. Simms currently remains in prison.