(The Center Square) - The U.S. Supreme Court will hear an Oklahoma death penalty case the state's attorney general said needs further review.
Attorney General Gentner Drummond said in a motion filed with the Supreme Court in July that Richard Glossip should receive a new trial based on evidence that a key witness testified falsely. A box of evidence was not turned over to Glossip's defense attorneys, either, he said.
Glossip was first charged with accessory to murder in connection with the death of Barry Van Treese. The charges were upgraded to murder after Sneed agreed to testify that Glossip paid him to kill Van Treese.
The Oklahoma Court of Appeals tossed Glossip's 1998 conviction and sentence and ordered a new trial. Glossip was tried and convicted again in 2004. He received the death penalty.
Justin Sneed, who received a life sentence without the possibility of parole for his testimony, testified he was prescribed lithium for a cold, but it was for a psychiatric condition, according to motions filed by Drummond.
“Public confidence in the death penalty requires the highest standard of reliability, so it is appropriate that the U.S. Supreme Court will review this case,” Drummond said. “As Oklahoma’s chief law officer, I will continue fighting to ensure justice is done in this case and every other.”
During a clemency hearing before the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board last April, Drummond said Glossip was "more likely than not" guilty of murder.
"But I do not believe the evidence present that he's guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and that's my concern," Drummond said.
Van Treese's family said the clemency request felt like a "stab in the back" and they were not represented at the hearing.
Glossip has faced nine execution dates. The most recent was May 18 of last year. The Supreme Court intervened and ordered a stay of execution on May 5.
"The Oklahoma Attorney General’s concession of error is historically unprecedented, as is the outpouring of support from 62 Oklahoma legislators, including at least 45 death penalty supporting Republican lawmakers," said Don Knight, one of Glossip's attorneys. "Two independent investigations cast grave doubts on the reliability of Mr. Glossip’s conviction. We are gratified that the United States Supreme Court has agreed that it is worthy of full consideration and look forward to our chance to help the Justices understand why it is critical that Mr. Glossip finally be given his chance at a fair trial."
Glossip's case is expected to be heard sometime this year.
via Oklahoma's Center Square News