Oklahoma attorney general wants to vacate conviction of high-profile death row inmate

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond (R) has taken a significant step and urged an appeals court to vacate the murder conviction of Richard Glossip, the state’s highest-profile death row inmate. The attorney general requested the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals to vacate Glossip’s conviction following an independent review of the inmate’s case that raised significant doubt regarding the credibility of the witness, Justin Sneed. Sneed, a motel maintenance worker, admitted to the killing but claimed that he only did it because Glossip promised to pay him $10k. Sneed was sentenced to life in prison without parole, while Glossip’s execution has been paused and resumed at least five times during his 25 years on death row.

Drummond clarified that the state does not say Glossip is innocent of the charge that he planned the 1997 death of his boss, motel owner Barry Van Treese. However, the review, conducted by a Texas-based law firm, raised serious doubts about the credibility of Sneed’s testimony in Glossip’s trial.

In a news release, Drummond said, “After thorough and serious deliberation, I have concluded that I cannot stand behind the murder conviction and death sentence of Richard Glossip. This is not to say I believe he is innocent. However, it is critical that Oklahomans have absolute faith that the death penalty is administered fairly and with certainty.”

Glossip’s case gained significant attention following a February 2022 agreement by an attorney with law firm Reed Smith to review his case independently, and Republican state Rep. Kevin McDugle expressed his grave concerns regarding Glossip’s conviction after reading the review. As an advocate of the death penalty, he also said that he would reconsider his position if Glossip were to be executed.

Drummond also acknowledged the sorrow and anxiety that developments in the case have caused the Van Treese family, adding that he hopes and prays that they will find peace.