US Supreme Court Blocks Richard Glossip Execution For Possible Case Review

The US Supreme Court intervened and stays the execution of death row prisoner Richard Glossip, less than two weeks before he was scheduled to be put to death.

Glossip has been on death row for 25 years for the murder for hire of his former boss and he was scheduled to be executed on May 18.

If they end up scheduling a new execution date, this would be the state's 10th attempt.

Richard Glossip's wife said it never gets any easier and they’ve had some dark days.

She said they visit every week without fail and Friday was supposed to be their last contact visit before he was moved to death watch.

“That would be our last touch, our last kiss, our last hug goodbye,” said Lea Glossip. “He had packed up all his things to be moved to death watch.”

The US Supreme Court has put Richard Glossip's execution on hold while it decides whether to review the case.

The Gossips were glued to the clock when the warden pulled them into the hallway.

“She said the US Supreme Court just stayed the execution and we just, you know, crumbled into each other and just overcome with joy. It was really emotional and amazing, and even though he was handcuffed, he was able to pick me up and we had this moment which was amazing,” said Lea.

Lea said she and Richard walked back into the room and were met with a somber crowd of prisoners and guards.

“We walked in, hand and hand, and said we got the stay and the whole room erupted,” Lea recalled.

Attorney General Gentner Drummond asked the Court of Criminal Appeals to vacate Glossip's conviction in April. That came as he released the results of an investigation his office commissioned.

The Pardon and Parole Board denied Glossip clemency last week, but SCOTUS stepped in May 5.

“Key question at the state of execution phase is likelihood of success. You don’t have to show that you are gonna win, but you do have to show that you’re likely to and so we had at least 5 votes saying, 'yeah something about this is probably not right and probably warrants the US Supreme Court’s intervention and granting relief,'” said John Mills, Glossip’s Attorney. “If one or more justices felt strongly opposed, they have the ability to say so and no justice said so. So, that’s another encouraging sign. So, we know we had 5 votes in favor of a stay. There may have been even more votes.”

Glossip is on death row in the murder for hire of Justin Sneed to kill Glossip’s former boss, Barry Van Treese, in 1997.

Drummond said Glossip didn't get a fair trial because of errors in the case, destruction of evidence, and false testimony from a key witness.

Drummond sent us a statement saying he is very grateful for the decision and will continue working to ensure justice prevails in this important case.

Glossip's Attorney is relieved SCOTUS blocked Glossip’s execution and said it’s very unusual for them to intervene at this stage.

“It does take a lot. Over and over again the United States Supreme Court has said, 'don’t come to us when an execution is imminent. By then it’s too late…' and so I think that makes it all the more extraordinary that they were willing to step in only a few weeks before Richard Glossip was to step into the execution chamber,” said Mills.

Mills said it takes 4 votes for justices to review the case, and 5 to win it.

“We still have a ways to go but this was key in allowing this fight to continue right now. Literally, counting down the days if Richard’s life and it’s just such a terrorizing and awful thing to endure for everybody including the legal team and legislators and everybody who has fought so hard," said Lea.

We’ve tried to contact Van Treese’s family, but they’ve previously said they believe Glossip is guilty.