The Supreme Court on Tuesday overturned the murder conviction and death sentence of Richard Glossip, an Oklahoma man who has consistently claimed he is innocent and avoided multiple execution attempts by the state.
The justices determined that Glossip’s trial infringed upon his constitutional rights.
The justices heard arguments in October in a case that resulted in an unusual alignment where Glossip’s lawyers and the state both contended that the high court should reverse Glossip’s conviction and death sentence due to an unfair trial.
The victim’s family informed the high court of their desire to see Glossip executed.
Oklahoma’s highest criminal court had consistently upheld Glossip’s conviction and sentence, even after the state supported Glossip.
Glossip was found guilty and sentenced to death for the 1997 murder of his former boss, motel owner Barry Van Treese, in Oklahoma City. Prosecutors alleged it was a murder-for-hire scheme.
Glossip has always asserted his innocence. Justin Sneed confessed to robbing Van Treese and fatally beating him with a baseball bat, but testified that he acted only after Glossip promised him $10,000. Sneed received a life sentence in exchange for his testimony and was the primary witness against Glossip.