The case of Benny Simmons, a convicted killer who was paroled after serving just two years for a 2021 murder, has sparked widespread outrage, especially from the victim’s mother, Dedra Stewart. In an exclusive interview with ABC Thirteen’s Luke Jones, Stewart shared her devastation and disbelief over the quick release of the teen killer, who was only 14 years old at the time of the murder.
The Crime: A Senseless Killing
On November 5th, 2021, in southwest Houston, 14-year-old Benny Simmons shot and killed Chuck Haywood, a 41-year-old man. According to the police, Simmons had been invited into Haywood’s apartment to play video games. Instead, he robbed Haywood and then fatally shot him before fleeing to a nearby apartment, where he ordered a pizza. The murder was a senseless act of violence, and it stunned the community.
Simmons, already known to law enforcement for his past offenses, was later apprehended. Police revealed that, just hours before the shooting, Simmons had been out on probation for a series of robberies. His criminal history and actions on the night of Haywood’s murder led to charges of capital murder and aggravated robbery.
The Conviction: A Juvenile Sentence
In the juvenile court system, Simmons was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his crimes. However, under Texas law, the maximum sentence a juvenile can receive for capital murder is 40 years. Despite the severity of his actions, the court’s sentence was limited by the rules that govern juvenile offenders.
The details of Simmons’ case are largely shrouded in secrecy, as juvenile criminal records are not publicly available. This has led to much speculation about the circumstances of his sentence, including the possibility of a plea deal. What is known is that Simmons was granted parole just two and a half years into his sentence. This move, which seemed to defy logic given the gravity of the crime, was met with shock and outrage from both the public and the victim’s family.
The Victim’s Mother: Heartbroken and Confused
Dedra Stewart, Chuck Haywood’s mother, expressed her heartbreak and confusion over the decision to release Simmons so quickly. “Two and a half years, I don’t see no justice in the justice system at all,” she said, struggling to understand why the system allowed the killer of her son to walk free after such a short time. She described the experience of going through the trial and sentencing, only to see the convicted killer released so soon, as a devastating blow.
Stewart’s frustration is shared by many who feel that the parole decision undermines the justice that was supposed to be served for her son’s murder. The mandatory minimum time served before parole for a capital murder conviction in Texas is ten years, but Simmons was released far earlier. While some believe that time served for previous offenses may have contributed to his early release, the full details remain unclear due to the confidentiality of juvenile court proceedings.
The Aftermath: A New Crime and Unanswered Questions
Less than three months after being paroled, Simmons found himself in more trouble with the law. On April 3rd, 2023, Simmons, now 17, was charged with aggravated robbery after knocking an 81-year-old woman to the ground and stealing her keys at an apartment complex in Alief. This crime, which took place just a short time after his parole, raised serious concerns about Simmons’ readiness to re-enter society and his apparent lack of remorse or rehabilitation.
At the time of this new offense, Simmons was charged as an adult due to his age, and he now faces a possible life sentence if convicted. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the challenges the justice system faces when dealing with young offenders who have demonstrated violent tendencies but are granted parole or early release. For the victim’s family, it is a painful reminder of the justice they feel they never received.
The Public’s Outrage and Ongoing Debate
The release of Simmons has ignited a larger conversation about the treatment of juvenile offenders and the rules governing their parole. Many are questioning whether the system is too lenient on young offenders, especially those who have committed heinous crimes like capital murder. The outrage expressed by Dedra Stewart and other members of the community highlights a growing concern about the balance between rehabilitation and punishment for juveniles in the criminal justice system.
As Simmons awaits trial for his most recent charges, the case continues to raise difficult questions about the effectiveness of the juvenile justice system and the safety of releasing young offenders who may still pose a danger to society. For the family of Chuck Haywood, the pain of losing a loved one to senseless violence is compounded by the frustration of seeing the killer freed so soon. While the system has its rules, the true sense of justice may feel elusive to those directly impacted by these decisions.