Death Row Inmate Execution Blocked By US Supreme Court

Friday, the US Supreme Court issued a stay of execution for Richard Glossip until they can consider two appeals filed by his attorneys.

Glossip is convicted of the murder of Barry Van Treese at a metro motel

According to the attorney spearheading Richard Glossip's case at the Supreme court, it's very usual for justices to intervene at this late stage. 

Richard Glossip’s ninth execution date has now moved again.

Glossip was with his wife Friday, saying their goodbyes ahead of his May 18 execution date when the warden pulled him away to deliver the news.

“We just crumbled into each other and was overcome with joy. It was really,really emotional,” said Lea Glossip, Richard Glossip’s wife.

Glossip was meeting with advocates, including his spiritual advisor Sister Helen Prejean, just before.

“I just prayed that the stay of execution would come through soon,” Sister Prejean said. “No doubt what did it was the 35 legislators that filed with the Supreme Court and our attorney general of the state.

The high court will still have to decide if it will hear the case. Both appeals the justices will consider revolve around the testimony of the prosecution's key witness, Justin Sneed.

It takes five justices to stay an execution, which Glossip’s attorney said is a good sign for their case moving forward.

“The key question at the stay of execution phase is likelihood of success,” John Mills said, Glossip’s attorney. “You don’t have to show that you are going to win, but you do have to show that you are likely to and we have at least five votes saying ‘something about this is probably not right’ and probably warrants the US Supreme Court’s intervention and granting relief.”

Both Glossip's attorneys and the Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond asked the court for the stay of execution. 

Drummond said he’s grateful for the decision.