Richard Glossip Case: Full timeline of his 27 years on death row

1997: The Murder of Barry Van Treese

In January 1997, Barry Van Treese, the owner of a motel in Oklahoma City, was murdered. Richard Glossip, an employee at the motel, was charged as an accessory to murder. His coworker, Justin Sneed, confessed to beating Van Treese to death and later testified that Glossip had paid him to commit the crime. This testimony was pivotal in the case against Glossip.

2001: Conviction and Sentencing

Glossip was tried and convicted of first-degree murder in 2001. Despite his admission of involvement in covering up the murder, the jury sentenced him to death based largely on Sneed’s testimony, which was later revealed to have significant credibility issues. Sneed testified under a plea agreement that allowed him to avoid the death penalty.

2014: Calls for Re-examination

As concerns about Glossip's conviction grew, questions arose regarding the validity of Sneed's testimony, especially as evidence emerged suggesting that Sneed had lied about his mental health. Reports indicated that Sneed had been taking lithium for a bipolar disorder, which he denied during his testimony, raising doubts about his reliability.

2023: Motion for New Trial

In April 2023, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond filed a motion with the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals (OCCA) to set aside Glossip's conviction and remand the case to district court. The state acknowledged errors in the disclosure of evidence that could have impacted Glossip's trial. However, the OCCA upheld Glossip's conviction and death sentence, prompting the case to be advanced to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Related: The Supreme Court Will Consider Overturning Richard Glossip’s Murder Conviction in Oklahoma

Related: Richard Glossip’s Attorneys Ask Supreme Court To Review Okla. Court Of Criminal Appeals Ruling

February 2025: U.S. Supreme Court Ruling

On February 25, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court vacated Glossip's conviction, ruling that he did not receive a fair trial. The Court found that the prosecution had violated several legal standards, including the obligation to correct false testimony and issues related to evidence destruction and witness statements. The justices emphasized that Sneed's credibility was central to the jury's decision, and the discovery of his false statements warranted a re-examination of the case.

Attorney General Drummond expressed his approval of the Supreme Court's ruling, stating, “Our justice system is greatly diminished when an individual is convicted without a fair trial, but today we can celebrate that a great injustice has been swept away.” He indicated that this ruling provided a fresh opportunity to ensure that justice is served in Glossip's case.

Glossip's Attorney Don Knight maintained Glossip's innocence. He said he doesn't have a broad timeline for their next steps but will work to bring Glossip back to Oklahoma County.

"I'm so glad that the Supreme Court has reconfirmed that basic tenant of the law," Knight said. "My job right now is to get him out of there as quickly as I can and get him over to the district court in Oklahoma County, where we can begin to see what's going to happen next.