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Richard Glossip: Supreme Court halts Oklahoma death row inmate's 4th execution bid over 'unfair trial'

'We are very grateful to the US Supreme Court for doing the right thing in stopping Richard Glossip's unlawful execution,' his lawyer said

McALESTER, OKLAHOMA: Richard Glossip, a convict on Oklahoma's death row, was stopped from being put to death by the US Supreme Court. This follows the state's attorney general's decision to uphold Glossip's life, and reports suggest that even Kim Kardashian has publicly opposed the death penalty.

The execution of Glossip, 60, who was convicted of participating in the 1997 murder-for-hire of motel owner Barry Van Treese, his former employer, was set for Thursday, May 18, according to Daily Mail. However, the decision on Friday, May 5, suspends the execution while the high court reviews the matter. Even though the state's newly appointed attorney general, Gentner Drummond, said that Glossip's trial was unfair, the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board decided to reject a recommendation for clemency. Drummond, who asked for a stay of execution, expressed grave reservations about the prosecution's handling of witnesses and evidence during the trial even though he maintained Glossip was guilty of the murder.

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'We are very grateful to the US Supreme Court'

The counsel for Glossip expressed his optimism that the supreme court will overturn his client's conviction. Glossip's attorney said in a statement, "We are very grateful to the US Supreme Court for doing the right thing in stopping Richard Glossip's unlawful execution," according to DailyMail.

"There is nothing more harrowing than the thought of executing a man who the state now admits has never received a fair trial," the statement continued. Attorney General Drummond argued before the judges that Glossip's trial was unfair and unreliable in support of the high court's decision to grant him a reprieve, according to Daily Mail.

What aspects of Richard Glossip's trial made it unfair?

Two investigators have stated that there are issues with the prosecution's case against Glossip, according to the outlet. An independent investigation commissioned by a group of 34 lawmakers from the state of Oklahoma found that the data might have contradicted the prosecution's argument that Glossip wanted Van Treese killed to conceal his alleged embezzlement from the motel where he worked.

The main witness against Glossip was Sneed, who was given a life sentence in exchange for his testimony. Drummond claimed Sneed made false statements concerning his mental health and the rationale behind his use of the mood-stabilizing medication lithium while testifying. Other issues included the disappearance of financial records in late 1999 or early 2000, before Glossip's retrial following the overturning of his initial conviction and death sentence.

'Richard Glossip needs our help, urgently!'

Kim Kardashian defended Glossip last month, asserting his true innocence in the matter. "Richard Glossip needs our help, urgently! He has been on Oklahoma's death row for 24 years for a crime he did not commit and is now scheduled to be executed on May 18th," she wrote in a tweet.