Alum murder trial selects jury

Opening statements began yesterday in Abingdon for the federal trial of a man convicted of murdering two JMU students in 1996.

Brent Simmons (’96), 32, faces federal charges and, if found guilty, could receive the death penalty. A federal judge in the case said Tuesday hearsay statements made by friends of the victims are admissible.

The day prior, jury selection concluded.

Simmons was indicted on federal charges in March on two charges of interstate stalking and using a firearm in the commission of a violent crime.

In 1998, the Commonwealth of Virginia convicted Simmons of two counts of capital murder and two counts of illegal use of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime. The charges are not considered double jeopardy because state and federal sovereignties are under different jurisdictions.
Simmons was convicted in the murders of his ex-girlfriend, Ann Olson, and her boyfriend, Keith O’Connell. Both were JMU students at the time.

Although no verdict was reached, Simmons agreed to a plea of two capital murders and was sentenced to 20 years in jail for each murder with the sentences running at the same time. Simmons consented to an Alford plea, in which the defendant admits a preponderant amount of evidence exists, but still maintains innocence.

— staff reports