Richard Glossip, an Oklahoma death row inmate, has maintained his innocence for nearly 30 years. Now, a U.S. Supreme Court ruling has granted him a new trial, finding that prosecutors failed to correct false testimony that could have swayed the jury’s verdict.
The key question now is whether Oklahoma prosecutors will opt to retry the case.
Glossip was convicted in 1998 for allegedly orchestrating the murder of Barry Van Treese, an Oklahoma City motel owner. Since then, numerous flaws in his prosecution have come to light, and the political climate has shifted in his favor.
- Key Point:
- The Supreme Court has ordered a new trial for Richard Glossip.
Beyond his attorneys, pro-death penalty Republicans, notably Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, have been pivotal in advocating for his release. They emphasize the importance of public trust in the death penalty system and argue that Glossip’s execution would undermine this trust given the doubts surrounding his case.
Drummond stated, “While I still don’t believe Mr. Glossip is innocent, it’s clear he didn’t receive a fair trial.”
Drummond and Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behenna must now decide whether to retry Glossip. Drummond acknowledges this will be a difficult decision, contingent on reviewing the evidence and available witnesses from the 30-year-old murder case.
He said, “We will review the evidence and interview available witnesses to determine whether to pursue the death penalty, life without parole, or a lesser charge.”
Retrying old cases presents challenges, as witness memories fade and evidence can be lost.
However, in Glossip’s retrial, prosecutors will face another hurdle: the Supreme Court ruling and other revelations have undermined the credibility of their star witness, Justin Sneed, the actual murderer of Van Treese.
The Supreme Court ruling was based on Sneed’s testimony, the sole evidence linking Glossip to the murder. The court found that prosecutors failed to correct Sneed’s false testimony, which would have damaged his credibility.
Drummond indicated he is considering all options but signaled he may not pursue the death penalty.
He said, “I don’t believe any prosecutor today would seek the death penalty.” He maintained that Glossip is not innocent but noted that Glossip admitted to being an accessory after the fact.
Glossip’s supporters hope that Drummond and Behenna will avoid a new prosecution.
