The U.S. Supreme Court did agree with Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s argument that death row inmate, Richard Glossip, did not receive a fair trial. Glossip has been convicted twice of murdering hotel owner, Barry Van Treese. The prosecution’s key witness was Justin Sneed, who claimed Glossip had promised to pay him $10,000 to kill Van Treese. Sneed received a life without parole sentence, instead of the death penalty, for testifying against Glossip.
“Our justice system is greatly diminished when an individual is convicted without a fair trial, but today we can celebrate that a great injustice has been swept away,” Drummond said. “I am pleased the high court has validated my grave concerns with how this prosecution was handled, and I am thankful we now have a fresh opportunity to see that justice is done.”
Drummond, Glossip’s attorney Don Knight, and others claimed the prosecution knew that Sneed was using lithium for a psychiatric condition but lied about it during the trial.
The majority of U.S. Supreme Court justices agreed with Drummond and Glossip’s supporters. However, Drummond does not believe Glossip is innocent in the Van Treese murder.
“While the Supreme Court has issued its final ruling, our work here in Oklahoma is not done,” Drummond said. “My office will thoroughly review the ruling, visit with the family members, and determine the most appropriate course of action to ensure justice is secured for all involved. I am grateful the justices understood the gravity of the situation. I have long maintained that I do not believe Mr. Glossip is innocent, but it is now an undeniable fact that he did not receive a fair trial.”
Drummond says he will confer with Oklahoma District Attorney Vicki Behenna on the decision how to proceed with another possible trial for Glossip.
Representative Justin Humphrey has been a supporter of Glossip getting a new trial. He issued a statement after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision was made public on Tuesday which also took a swipe at Oklahoma’s justice system.
“I and all the others fighting for justice for Richard Glossip are proud of the Supreme Court’s ruling. I believe the Richard Glossip case being remanded back to trial speaks volumes to our Oklahoma Court system.
“This case encompasses many, many problems in our court system, beginning with prosecutorial abuse and criminal misconduct. In addition, we need to be asking how is it possible that our appellate court system, the state’s Pardon and Parole Board and the governor all failed to consider the overwhelming evidence of this case that should have kept them from condemning Richard to death. The Supreme Court’s decision makes it clear that Oklahoma needs to look at our entire criminal justice system and take appropriate action to correct the numerous injustices that currently exist. This is not a time to stick out our chest and brag, but it is a time that we should humbly review how it is possible for this to have happened in the first place,” said Humphrey.
Glossip will remain in the Oklahoma Department of Corrections custody until Drummond and Behenna decide how to move forward with the case.
