Okla. Lawmakers, Religious Leaders Push To Save Death Row Inmate

State lawmakers and religious leaders gathered at the Capitol today for a final push to save longtime death row inmate Richard Glossip.

Glossip is set to be executed two weeks from today, but a group of republican lawmakers that have long believed Glossip doesn’t deserve to die are hoping the governor will take action.

The governor has the ability to grant a 60-day stay on Glossip’s execution, which lawmakers say will give the Supreme Court time to hear the newest two lawsuits in Glossip’s case.

“A rush to an execution when there are still pending lawsuits does not seem to be safe or strategic at all,” said Representative Kevin McDugle (R-Broken Arrow).

These legislators are calling on the governor to grant the stay.

“Governor, if it weren't for your extension last time, Richard Glossip would be dead today. You saved his life once, we're asking for that same grace again,” said Rep. McDugle.

The governor says he’s standing by the court’s recent decision with no plans to grant the stay.

Representative McDugle has led the fight alongside other republican lawmakers, fighting to prove what they believe- that Glossip is innocent. In a press conference today, Representatives McDugle and Humphrey outlined what they called multiple flaws in Glossip's case.

“It was corrupt from the word go. It was corrupt from the first street, you better stop the execution. Don't live with an innocent man's blood on your hands,” said Rep. Justin Humphrey (R-Lane).

Representative McDugle said there’s many flaws in the case, including conflict of interest coming from the people deciding Glossip's fate: those sitting on the court of criminal appeals and the pardon and parole board.

“We have allowed the court of criminal appeals to have 4 DA's sit on it, and we've allowed the pardon and parole board that has 5 members to have 3 DA's,” said Rep. McDugle.

Representative McDugle also pointed to key evidence that just recently surfaced, and that the State’s key witness, Justin Sneed, tried to change his testimony after taking a plea deal. That testimony was a large part of what landed Glossip on death row.

Representative McDugle also says it’s unfair that Glossip only had four justices at his most recent clemency hearing, instead of the usual five. One of the justices recused himself due to conflict of interest, but a second was asked to recuse himself for the same reason, and refused.

That justice worked in the district attorney’s office that charged Glossip before serving on the pardon and parole board.

The most recent move in Rep. McDugle’s long fight to save Glossip- he's attempting to pass a law that would mandate if the Attorney General asks for a conviction to be reversed, as he did in Glossip's case, the court of criminal appeals would have to grant it.

The representative is hoping to run the bill Monday, and says if both chambers pass it and the governor signs it into law before the execution, it could be a last minute life-saving measure for Glossip.

“It’s a .01 possibility but we have to try it right,” said Rep. McDugle.

Standing with lawmakers were many religious leaders including Sister Helen Prejean, who is well-known for her nationwide fight to end the death penalty.

“I call on the people of Oklahoma- you're not worthy of the death penalty,” said Sister Helen Prejean.

Also speaking at the press conference was Adam Luck, the former chair of the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board. A 2015 botched execution that narrowly saved Glossip’s life, happened when Luck was serving on the board.

“I believe there is not a moral ground to stand on in executing Richard Glossip,” said Luck.

While the odds are not in their favor, lawmakers and religious leaders aren’t giving up.

“Going forward with this execution only continues a cycle of violence rather than honor life,” said Minister Demetrius Minor.

If the governor does not grant a 60-day stay, Glossip's execution is set for May 18th.