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"Please Don't Tell" | Full Episode

2025-09-02 News & Politics
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48 Hours
48 Hours
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Wrongful Conviction Unravels After 44 Years in Twin Sisters' Attack Case

Discover how crucial withheld evidence—including initial victim statements and a coroner's report—led to the overturning of a 100-year sentence for a crime committed 44 years ago.

Short Summary

  • Overturn granted based on the constitutional violation that Vincent Simmons never received a fair trial due to suppressed discovery.
  • Initial identification procedures were highly suggestive, as Simmons was the only person in handcuffs during the lineup.
  • Key evidence contrary to trial testimony, such as initial statements omitting the attacker's name, was discovered 30 years later.
  • The case exposes systemic issues in swift 1977 prosecutions and the difficulties survivors face even after exoneration.

This report details the 1977 alleged assault of twin sisters Karen and Sharon Sanders by Vincent Simmons, who spent decades in prison. Readers will learn about the significant inconsistencies in the victims' original accounts, evidence suppressed from the defense, and the crucial legal ruling that granted Simmons a new trial based on due process failures. This case highlights deep flaws in swift judicial processing and the persistence required to overturn a conviction.

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Description

Twin sisters say they were attacked by a Black man. Are they telling the truth or hiding a family secret? "48 Hours" contributor David Begnaud reports. Watch more full episodes of "48 Hours" on Pluto TV. #48hours #crime #mystery True crime. Real justice. "48 Hours" investigates the most intriguing crime and justice cases that touch on all areas of the human experience including greed and passion. "48 Hours," which premiered in 1988, has developed a rich history of original reporting and impact journalism that has helped exonerate wrongly convicted people, caused cold cases to be reopened and solved, and along the way changed lives. Subscribe to the "48 Hours" YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/48hours Watch full episodes of "48 Hours": https://cbsnews.com/48-hours/full-episodes/ Listen to the "48 Hours" podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/48-Hours Listen to the "My Life of Crime with Erin Moriarty" podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/CBSNewsMLOC Follow "48 Hours" on Instagram: https://instagram.com/48hoursCBS/ Like "48 Hours" on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/48hours Follow "48 Hours" on Twitter: https://twitter.com/48hours Subscribe to our newsletter: https://cbsnews.com/newsletter/ Download the CBS News app: https://cbsnews.com/mobile/ Try Paramount+ free: https://paramountplus.com/?ftag=PPM-05-10aeh8h For video licensing inquiries, contact: [email protected]

Top Comments (10)

@sneekz07 2025-09-02

As soon as I heard they referred to him as the N word and claimed 'all black people look alike' I knew it was bogus.

3.0k 70 replies
@ajraynemaker5339 2025-09-02

How you going to get 100 years in prison for attempted rape? There are murderers who don't even get that.

2.4k 69 replies
@MissMellVille25 2025-09-02

There’s no such thing as consensual sex at 9 years old

2.3k 33 replies
@ThePinkBlush 2025-09-02

I’m glad to see so many people in the comments are skeptical of the twins.

1.5k 22 replies
@lorraineslife 2025-09-02

She don’t remember saying that but she remember everything that was done in 1977

1.2k 17 replies
@kimburger917 2025-09-02

This is gross. Those women deserve to be in prison for the rest of their lives

1.1k 24 replies
@Cakiana1 2025-09-08

This literally brings tears to my eyes because I know there are more black men who never even got the opportunity to clear their name. Skin color should never = conviction.

729 6 replies
@__REALITY 2025-09-16

I noticed when the twins talk , they look at eachother for validation lmao

549 15 replies
@Trebarwith 2025-09-06

I can't imagine how proud the wife of that lawyer must be. Wishing them both peace and happiness.

420 1 replies
@48hours 2025-09-02

Click here to watch more “48 Hours” full episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcFHkKbd_jTJiRmfUfLX2Ay_hnf5j3cxH

84 3 replies

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