Court Of Appeals Grants Stay Of Execution For Richard Glossip

Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals has granted a stay of execution for death row inmate Richard Glossip.

Glossip was convicted of masterminding a plan to have his boss, Barry Van Treese, beaten to death in 1997. He was scheduled to be executed at 3 p.m. Wednesday.

Just before 12 p.m. Wednesday, a stay has been granted for him until September 30. 

Late Tuesday afternoon, Gov. Mary Fallin said she will not grant Glossip a stay of execution. Just before 5 p.m. Tuesday, Glossip’s attorneys filed the appeal with the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals. It's their last avenue to stop the execution.

9/15/2015 Related Story: Glossip's Attorneys File Appeal With Oklahoma Court Of Criminal Appeals

Court documents released on Wednesday stated that, "Due to Glossip's last minute filing, and in order for this court to give fair consideration to the materials included with his subsequent application for post-conviction relief, we hereby grant an emergency stay of execution for two weeks. The execution of Richard Eugene Glossip shall be reset, without further order, for September 30, 2015."  

Read the complete court order here. 

During a news conference on Wednesday, Robert Patton, Director of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, said he does not know the reasons behind the stay, and that at this time, they are shutting down all procedures. 

Glossip's case has received international attention. His support has grown to include Hollywood celebrities and Oklahoma royalty, including Barry Switzer, in addition to 270,000 people who signed an online petition to save him. 

The Van Treese family released this statement after the Oklahoma Court of Criminal appeals granted a two-week stay of execution to Richard Glossip,

“We have full faith and confidence in the Oklahoma Justice System and are satisfied that it is working as it should. We appreciate the efforts of all those who are conversant with the case and know the facts involved."

Governor Mary Fallin issued a statement:

“As I have repeatedly said, court is the proper place for Richard Glossip and his legal team to argue the merits of his case. My office will respect whatever decision the court makes, as we have throughout this process. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Van Treese family who has suffered greatly during this long ordeal.”

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