30 years after convicted murderer Richard Glossip received a death sentence in Oklahoma, he walked out of prison. Notably, it might not be forever, but many true crime followers feel irritated because, per CNN, the state intends to retry the former death row inmate. Read on to find out why folks debate it so fiercely.
Surviving Death Row
While behind bars, and surviving multiple execution dates with in-the-nick-of-time stays, it’s a wonder he’s not totally out of his mind. Well, kudos to Kim Kardashian for putting up the 10 percent fee for the $500K bond needed for him to get out of prison.
His conviction for the murder of Barry Van Treese was tossed over a year ago, but he wasn’t freed until a new judge granted the possibility of bail.
While the judge granted him bail, the prosecution still wants another trial for the same murder. However, there will be pretrial hearings as prosecutors prepare. Right now, there doean’t seem to be a firm date for the actual trial.
Bail Conditions
Notably, there are a lot of questions being asked across YouTube and other social media platforms. And, it’s not just anti-death penalty folks voicing their anger. In fact, many of them wonder why the heck Oklahoma even wants another trial.
Bail conditions seem standard for a crime of this nature, and he has to wear an ankle monitor, stay away from witnesses, drugs, and alcohol.
Meanwhile, on social media, many people think the best thing he can do is flee to another country that doesn’t have extradition rights. After all, it’s not as if his upcoming trial will be the first one.
Having to enter a third trial with dodgy circumstances involving evidence doesn’t seem like something anyone would look forward to.
The State Witness Was Dodgy
The case against Richard Glossip found a lot of critics over the years. Mostly, it came because the prosecution’s star witness, Justin Sneed blamed Glossip for the murder, claiming he was hired to kill Barry Van Treese.
Basically, Richard Glossip heard evidence against himself by the self-confessed killer whoi wanted to avoid the death penalty. But that’s not the only issue with the prosecution because they withheld vital evidence.
So, the jury didn’t know that Sneed suffered from mental health issues, and was, in fact, on medication for Bipolar. Plus, the jury wasn’t aware that Sneed used drugs quite heavily.
The Jury Aspect
Naturally, his defense team felt that the omissions could have influenced the jury. Michael Knight’s been vocal, and years ago, he appeared on social media trying to get some public support for his client.
Documentaries carried Glossip’s story as well. And who can blame negatiuve reactions now? After all, other news that arrived showed that prosecutors knew Sneed lied. Apparently, he claimed he’d never been checked out by a psychiatrist.
Will Sneed Appear?
Other documentation revealed that Sneed changed his story. Actually, Justin Sneed is still alive and serving prison time. Some outlets talk about him as a “living witness.” Will he reappear?
Another issue under discussion, is the fact that financial records that could have helped Richard Glossip were destroyed.
The state’s new stand on trying for another conviction without the death penalty isn’t impressing everyone who follows true crime on Reddit.
Crime Followers Seem Unhappy
Some people believe that the state simply attempts some sort of justification to protect the rep of the courts.
Additionally, it makes other folks grind their teeth over the new trial and the costs involved. That’s because in the next trial, the prosecution will use much of the same evidence from the previous two trials.
However, given the high profile of it, this time around, the jury will hear the evidence previously withheld.
Reactions To The News
On ther/news subreddit this week, folks discussed various things like double jeopardy. But very strong opinions also emerged. One of them penned:
How in holy [cuss word] does someone get the death penalty based solely on the testimony of a murderer?!?!? Strange that someone even gets the death penalty for a murder for hire when plenty commit the murder themselves and get out after a decade. This [cuss word] is why most of the rest of the civilized world has done away with this primitive garbage.”
Here are a few other noteworthy reactions from the discussion:
- I read today that the district attorney told the judge that at Glossip’s third trial (if it happens), the evidence presented will be the same as at his first trials. I have to wonder if they’re pursuing a third trial just to save face.
- The state is retrying him, but will aim for a life sentence rather than the death penalty. He’s been found guilty in two previous cases, so the third time may not be different. Though a lot more people are familiar with his case now and the state will need to admit the evidence they previously withheld.
- For the lawyers and law students out there, this is THE Richard Glossip from Glossip v. Gross, where the Supreme Court held that lethal injection did not constitute cruel and unusual punishment despite how often it goes painfully and horribly wrong.
Plenty Of Scrutiny
Certainly, this case will get a lot of public scrutiny going forward. It’s not over yet. But even if Richard Glossip is found guilty again, observers wonder how the state could justify putting him back in prison. After all, with nearly 30 years behind bars, presumably, that time served would help him avoid more detention.
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