Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has filed a motion to stop the execution of death row inmate Richard Glossip, who is set to face his ninth execution date. Glossip, who has been twice convicted of a murder-for-hire plot to kill his boss in 1997, has maintained his innocence. Although Drummond does not believe Glossip is innocent, he argues that the state has made various mistakes in his case and that he deserves a new and fair trial. Glossip’s attorneys have argued that Justin Sneed, a maintenance worker, was the sole killer of motel owner Barry Van Treese, and that Sneed lied on the stand and wanted to recant his testimony.
Last week, the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board denied clemency for Glossip, after independent investigations by Reed Smith and Drummond’s office alleged prosecutorial misconduct in his murder trial. Despite this decision, Glossip’s attorney, John Mills, said that the problems with Glossip’s conviction have garnered unprecedented support, including from the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office, now represented by Paul Clement. Glossip’s latest death date is scheduled for May 18.
