Glossip, now 62, has faced nine postponed execution dates and has famously had three "last meals." The Supreme Court's ruling was rendered with a 5-3 vote, emphasizing that the prosecution failed to correct critical falsehoods during the trial process. Justice Sonia Sotomayor highlighted the violation of constitutional obligations, indicating that evidence of the primary witness's credibility issues was omitted at trial.
Joining Sotomayor in the ruling were Justices Elena Kagan, Ketanji Brown Jackson, Brett Kavanaugh, and Chief Justice John Roberts, while Justice Amy Coney Barrett expressed a nuanced stance, calling for further proceedings. Notably, Justice Neil Gorsuch did not participate in the case.
Glossip's attorney Don Knight hailed the decision as a victory for justice, emphasizing the importance of a fair trial for Glossip, who has maintained his innocence since his conviction. His case stems from the brutal beating death of Van Treese, where another individual, Justin Sneed, accepted a plea deal and implicated Glossip under dubious circumstances, claiming he acted on Glossip's orders for a $10,000 fee.
Crucially, it has come to light that Sneed, a methamphetamine user, had undisclosed psychiatric issues that could have severely undermined his testimony. Justice Sotomayor noted that had the prosecution disclosed this information, it would have significantly impacted the jury's perception of Sneed's reliability.
Glossip was first convicted in 1998, a decision overturned in 2001, before being retried and convicted again in 2004. In recent years, Glossip's plight has garnered support from notable figures, including Pope Francis and Kim Kardashian, highlighting growing concerns about the integrity of the justice system. As Oklahoma's prosecutors prepare to reassess the case, questions surrounding the death penalty and its application in the state intensify.
Oklahoma's journey with Glossip's case continues as the state's legal system reassesses trials, liabilities, and the ongoing relevance of capital punishment.
Joining Sotomayor in the ruling were Justices Elena Kagan, Ketanji Brown Jackson, Brett Kavanaugh, and Chief Justice John Roberts, while Justice Amy Coney Barrett expressed a nuanced stance, calling for further proceedings. Notably, Justice Neil Gorsuch did not participate in the case.
Glossip's attorney Don Knight hailed the decision as a victory for justice, emphasizing the importance of a fair trial for Glossip, who has maintained his innocence since his conviction. His case stems from the brutal beating death of Van Treese, where another individual, Justin Sneed, accepted a plea deal and implicated Glossip under dubious circumstances, claiming he acted on Glossip's orders for a $10,000 fee.
Crucially, it has come to light that Sneed, a methamphetamine user, had undisclosed psychiatric issues that could have severely undermined his testimony. Justice Sotomayor noted that had the prosecution disclosed this information, it would have significantly impacted the jury's perception of Sneed's reliability.
Glossip was first convicted in 1998, a decision overturned in 2001, before being retried and convicted again in 2004. In recent years, Glossip's plight has garnered support from notable figures, including Pope Francis and Kim Kardashian, highlighting growing concerns about the integrity of the justice system. As Oklahoma's prosecutors prepare to reassess the case, questions surrounding the death penalty and its application in the state intensify.
Oklahoma's journey with Glossip's case continues as the state's legal system reassesses trials, liabilities, and the ongoing relevance of capital punishment.
