The Supreme Court on Tuesday threw out the murder conviction against former death row inmate Richard Glossip, whose case has garnered national attention.
Glossip was found guilty of murder in 1998 for the 1997 murder of Barry Van Treese in Oklahoma. Treese owned the motel at which Glossip worked as the manager. The inmate was accused of orchestrating the murder, which was carried out by Justin Sneed, a maintenance worker. However, Glossip has always maintained his innocence.
There were several issues with the prosecution’s case against Glossip. They allowed a witness to give false testimony on the stand. The Supreme Court ruled that this violated Glossip’s right to a fair trial.
This means Glossip will get a new trial.
Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito dissented from the ruling. Thomas argued that the ruling had “cast aside” the concerns of the victim’s family.
Richard Glossip has eaten his last meal 3 times. Oklahoma’s AG—a conservative Republican—had begged the pardon & parole board to stay his execution. They refused.
— Billy Binion (@billybinion) February 26, 2025
It shouldn’t be this hard to find relief when the state breaks the law. Human life is more important than legalism. https://t.co/xvnMjORlLi
Glossip’s attorney praised the ruling, noting how prosecutors also concealed critical evidence from the defense team.
Don Knight, Glossip’s attorney, said the court was right to overturn the conviction because prosecutors hid critical evidence from the defense team. “Today was a victory for justice and fairness in our judicial system,” Knight said in a statement. “Rich Glossip, who has maintained his innocence for 27 years, will now be given the chance to have the fair trial that he has always been denied.”
Glossip’s wife wrote in a text to The Associated Press: “Rich and I opened the decision together on the phone this morning, knowing it would be a life-changing moment. To say that we are overcome with emotion is an understatement. We are deeply grateful. Today is truly an answered prayer.”
The United States Supreme Court threw out the sentence for an Oklahoma death row inmate.
— David Chasanov (@DavidChasanov) February 25, 2025
Reaction from Richard Glossip's attorney, a state lawmaker and Attorney General Gentner Drummond: https://t.co/gtXOQZV4Al@OKCFOX @AdamKing_News @wsuares pic.twitter.com/VIVNYbUVVq
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond was one of the key figures arguing for a new trial. He believes Glossip committed the crime, but took issue with how the prosecution was handled.
Van Treese’s family expressed confidence that Glossip will be convicted if he faces a new trial, according to Fox News.
"The family remains confident that when that new trial is held, the jury will return the same verdict as in the first two trials: guilty of first-degree murder," Derek Van Treese, Barry’s son, said in a statement to Fox News Digital provided by the family’s lawyer, Paul Cassell.
"The burning issue here is of process and procedure. The U.S. Supreme Court has concluded that one small bit of impeachment evidence should have been presented at Glossip’s trial and has remanded for a new trial," he continued. "Two juries have shown that the issue at hand isn't one of guilt or innocence, Glossip is clearly guilty of first-degree murder."
Glossip will remain in prison for the time being as Drummond consults with the Oklahoma County district attorney on whether to try him again.