Court halts execution of death row inmate who has faced three 'last meals'

05 May 2023 , 22:04

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Richard Glossip who was found guilty of the 'murder-for-hire' killing of his former boss and sentenced to death in Oklahoma. On Friday the US supreme court stepped in to halt his planned execution amid concerns over his initial trial.

The US Supreme Court (SCOTUS) today took the rare decision to halt the execution of a death row inmate and his lawyer said his client is "out of peril" for now.

Attorney Don Knight told the Mirror it was a "very stressful" time for Richard Glossip and that "he has been struggling" before SCOTUS made the decision to halt the execution of Glossip while they consider his case.

Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch took no part in the decision to halt the execution, likely because he previously dealt with the case as an appellate judge.

Glossip has already faced three last meals but was handed yet another execution date set for May 18. This will now not go ahead after the US supreme court halted the plans.

'We are very grateful to the US Supreme Court,' Glossip's attorney said (Uncredited/AP/REX/Shutterstock)

In a statement after the decision, Mr Knight said: "We are very grateful to the US Supreme Court for doing the right thing in stopping Richard Glossip’s unlawful execution. There is nothing more harrowing than the thought of executing a man who the State now admits has never received a fair trial.

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"Thankfully, for the time being, Mr Glossip is out of peril. Our hope is that the Court will reverse the decision of the [Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals] (OCCA) and vacate Mr Glossip’s conviction once and for all."

The case of Richard Glossip

Glossip, 60, was jailed for the murder-for-hire of his boss and hotel owner Barry Van Treese in 1997, but has long maintained his innocence.

Hotel handyman Justin Sneed killed Barry Van Treese in 1997, but said Glossip hired him to do it (Internet Unknown)

Also last month, a parole board voted 2-2 on Glossip's appeal for clemency. (Uncredited/AP/REX/Shutterstock)

His case is controversial due in part to the evidence given in the 1997 trial by Van Treese's killer, Justin Sneed.

An OCCA ruling written by Judge David Lewis in April said the inmate "has not provided this court with sufficient information that would convince this court to overturn the jury's determination that he is guilty of first-degree murder and should be sentenced to death."

Also last month, a parole board voted 2-2 on Glossip's appeal for clemency.

Barry Van Treese, Glossip's former boss (Internet Unknown)

Oklahoma's attorney general does not believe Glossip received a fair trial

Oklahoma's state Attorney General Gentner Drummond believes the inmate, handed the death sentence for the 1997 murder of Barry Van Treese, did not receive a fair trial.

Of the ruling, Mr Drummond has said: "While the State has not questioned the integrity of previous death penalty cases, the Glossip conviction is very different.

He has said: "I believe it would be a grave injustice to execute an individual whose trial conviction was beset by a litany of errors."

Before the decision today, Mr Knight warned that his client's possible execution would set a dangerous precedent.

He told the Mirror that he was "terrified" for his client and said: "The idea that state's attorney general has said that Richard Glossip did not receive a fair trial and yet the state still wants to kill ought to terrify everyone.

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There is a major public campaign claiming Glossip's innocence (Getty Images North America)

"Basically, what Oklahoma is saying is 'we don't even have to give you a fair trial to execute you'."

Mr Knight continued: "As far as I am concerned, Richard Glossip is innocent... the facts of the case don't show he is guilty of murder."

Oklahoma's state Attorney General Mr Drummond said he does not believe Glossip is innocent but that problems in the case mean a jury may not have found him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt had they been presented with all of the evidence.

Richard Glossips Defense Attorney Don Knight spoke to the Mirror.co.uk and said his client's case 'terrifies' him (Getty Images North America)

An inquiry ordered by the attorney general also found that prosecutors had withheld evidence from the defence. Crucial evidence was destroyed before Glossip's second trial and the appeals he pursued afterwards.

In a letter to the parole board, Mr Drummond cited evidence that Sneed, whose testimony was sued to conviction Glossip, wanted to recant his testimony.

Glossip's case has drawn support from all walks of life including reality mega-star Kim Kardashian, but Glossip also has the backing of a number of Republicans who believe in the death penalty.

A total of 62 state legislators, including 45 Republicans, had previously backed calls for an evidentiary hearing based on new evidence.

Last year, Republican State Representative Kevin McDugle - who believes in the death penalty - argued an extensive report by law firm Reed Smith was enough to show Glossip's innocence.

This report was rejected by the OCCA in November last year.

Mr McDugle has said: "We've got an individual sitting on death row that's been there 25 years and I believe he's totally innocent."

"Glossip has been on death row for 25 years and has faced his last meal three times already."

Benjamin Lynch