She Was a Star Detroit Cop, Nicknamed ‘The Closer.’ Now, 30 Inmates Say She Coerced Them Into False Confessions

Barbara Simon’s reputation was built on results. As a decorated homicide detective in Detroit, her legendary status as “The Closer” by her colleagues was fueled by a stack of signed confessions that seemed to defy the odds. Now, that legacy is being dismantled piece by piece.

Suggested Reading

In 2024, an investigation by the Detroit Metro Times uncovered a disturbing pattern of alleged misconduct within the Detroit Police Department. A single, Black veteran detective stood accused by dozens of inmates of using lies, threats and abuse to manufacture false confessions for crimes, including murder…

Story continues

TRENDING NOW

LATEST LOCAL NEWS