Richard Glossip, Former Death Row Inmate, Released on Bond While Awaiting Retrial
In a dramatic turn of events, Richard Glossip, a former death row inmate, experienced freedom on Thursday after nearly three decades in prison. An Oklahoma judge granted Glossip bond as he waits for a new trial concerning a murder that happened in 1997.
Glossip, who has faced execution so closely that he was served three “last meals” in 2015, continues to maintain his innocence in the death of Barry Van Treese, an Oklahoma motel owner. His conviction and death sentence were overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court last year.
Timeline of Events in Glossip’s Case
Jan. 7, 1997: Barry Van Treese was found beaten to death at his Oklahoma City motel. Employees Richard Glossip and Justin Sneed were arrested shortly after the incident.
Aug. 14, 1998: Glossip was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. Prosecutors alleged a murder-for-hire scheme, with Sneed testifying that he killed Van Treese for $10,000 promised by Glossip.
July 17, 2001: The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals nullified Glossip’s conviction, granting him a new trial.
Aug. 27, 2004: Glossip faced conviction again and received another death sentence.
April 29, 2014: During an execution using midazolam for Clayton Lockett, complications arose, leading to a 43-minute process that ended in Lockett’s death. The event prompted scrutiny over execution protocols.
Nov. 20, 2014: Glossip’s execution was postponed to allow Oklahoma to acquire necessary drugs and train on a new protocol.
Jan. 28, 2015: The U.S. Supreme Court paused Glossip’s execution, along with those of two others, pending a review of midazolam’s use in executions.
June 29, 2015: The U.S. Supreme Court, in a split decision, upheld Oklahoma’s use of midazolam during executions.
Sept. 15, 2015: Glossip received what was believed to be his final meal, but received a temporary reprieve from the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals to examine new evidence.
Sept. 29, 2015: For the third time, Glossip was served a last meal, but execution preparations were again halted due to a drug protocol mismatch.
Oct. 2, 2015: Oklahoma’s attorney general requested an indefinite halt on all executions for procedural review.
Feb. 13, 2020: Oklahoma announced intentions to resume executions using a three-drug lethal injection protocol.
May 5, 2023: The U.S. Supreme Court interrupted Glossip’s scheduled execution, as Oklahoma’s attorney general acknowledged issues with his trial’s fairness and reliability.
Feb. 25, 2025: The U.S. Supreme Court voided Glossip’s conviction, citing prosecutorial misconduct by allowing false testimony from key witness Sneed.
June 9, 2025: Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond indicated plans to retry Glossip, despite acknowledging trial unfairness.
May 14, 2026: Glossip was released on a $500,000 bond, allowing him to leave jail while awaiting his retrial.
