Supreme Court to Review Richard Glossip Case

Richard Glossip, a death row inmate in Oklahoma, is appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn his conviction for the 1997 murder of Barry Van Treese, with the unusual support of the state of Oklahoma itself. After spending nearly three decades on death row and facing nine execution dates, Glossip maintains his innocence, claiming prosecutorial misconduct and the suppression of key evidence during his trial. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, typically a supporter of capital punishment, now argues that Glossip did not receive a fair trial due to issues with the key witness's credibility and undisclosed evidence. The case has drawn significant attention, including appeals for clemency from notable figures like Pope Francis. The Supreme Court must decide whether Glossip's constitutional rights were violated and if the Oklahoma court's refusal to vacate his conviction should be upheld. This rare alignment of interests between the defense and the prosecution highlights serious concerns regarding the integrity of the death penalty process in the state.