Activists and lawmakers in Oklahoma urge Governor to sign reprieve for death row inmate.

Anti-Death Penalty Activist Sister Helen Prejean Speaks Out

Oklahoma State Capital

“In that governor’s hand is the power of life and death. We have got to end this; they can’t handle it,” said Sister Helen Prejean, a well-known death penalty abolitionist, to a group of about 35 people at the Oklahoma State Capital.

Prejean is famous for her work with convicted murderers Elmo Patrick Sonnier and Robert Lee Willie, which inspired the 1995 film “Dead Man Walking” starring Sean Penn and Susan Sarandon.

Richard Glossip’s Case

Prejean was speaking to a group demanding that Gov. Kevin Stitt grant a 60-day reprieve for death row inmate Richard Glossip, who is scheduled for execution on May 18. Glossip and Justin Sneed were convicted of the 1997 murder of their employer Barry Van Treese.

The demonstrators ranged from staunch death penalty opponents to pro-capital punishment conservatives who believe Glossip was denied a fair trial. Republican State Rep. Kevin McDugle places himself in the latter category.

New Evidence

McDugle got a coalition of 34 Oklahoma legislators from both parties to appoint a special counsel to investigate Glossip’s case. The Philadelphia-based law firm of Reed Smith LLP also investigated the Glossip case. Both claimed to have uncovered new evidence, including evidence of mistakes and prosecutor misconduct.

McDugle said the report shows that prosecutors coached Sneed to change his testimony. He claims the report contains a signed affidavit from a police officer who says he was told to destroy physical evidence and recantation letters from Sneed.

“If even 10 percent of this is true, we’ve potentially got an innocent man on death row,” McDugle said.

Citizens Speak Up

Carolyn Pappas of Yukon, Oklahoma, joined the demonstrators because she wanted to know the truth. Like many Oklahomans, Pappas accepted that innocent people would not be put on death row. But as Glossip’s case gained notoriety, Pappas began to wonder.

“Our legal system isn’t perfect,” she told The Epoch Times.

Pappas said she respects the law but is more concerned about a higher law. She said it’s essential that citizens speak up when the state is wrong.

“If we get involved as citizens, then maybe the law can change,” Pappas said.

Attorney General’s Move

In a history-making move, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond asked the Pardon and Parole Board at its April 27 hearing to stay Glossip’s execution. Drummond, who was not in office when Glossip was convicted, said the state denied Glossip a fair trial.

Prejean said she was amazed at Drummond’s actions.

“That’s unheard of. That really speaks volumes to the Supreme Court,” Prejean said.

Legal Options Exhausted

The Court of Criminal Appeals for Oklahoma issued an opinion on April 20 stating that after two trials, five appeals, and two reprieves, the former motel manager had exhausted all his legal options.

“Glossip is neither entitled to post-conviction relief nor a stay of execution,” the Appeals Court decision reads.

The Pardon and Parole Board denied Glossip clemency. Neither Drummond’s nor Stitt’s offices responded to requests for comment from The Epoch Times.

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