Simmons: Prosecution rests

Prosecutors in the federal death-penalty case against JMU alumnus Brent Simmons (’96), 32, rested Friday, introducing evidence that suggested Simmons was present at the scene of the murders the night they happened.

The prosecution’s case began Wednesday and focused on the great lengths Simmons went through for the murders of two former JMU students, Ann Olson and her boyfriend Keith O’Connell. Olson and O’Connell were shot execution style Oct. 12, 1996.

Witness’ testimony placed Simmons at the scene of the crime. Bobby Rogers, who was O’Connell’s neighbor, said he saw O’Connell and a "light-skinned black man or Asian male" arguing outside when he arrived at his apartment at 2:23 a.m. Rogers lived in the apartment behind O’Connell’s. Rogers testified that he heard two loud bangs a short time later, but did not notice anything was wrong when he looked out his window.

The prosecution also offered multiple incidents in which Simmons called friends immediately following the murders.

Simmons was indicted on federal charges in March on two charges of interstate stalking and using a firearm in the commission of a crime. The charges were brought under the federal Violence Against Women Act, allowing jurors to call for the death penalty if convicted.

— from staff reports