On Thursday, former death row inmate Richard Glossip was granted bond by an Oklahoma judge, who ruled that Glossip could be released from jail while awaiting a new trial for a 1997 killing.
During his nearly 30 years behind bars, Glossip came close to execution multiple times, being served "last meals" on three separate occasions in 2015. He has long maintained his innocence in the murder of his former boss, Oklahoma motel owner Barry Van Treese. The U.S. Supreme Court threw out his conviction and death sentence last year.
Key Events in Glossip's Case
Jan. 7, 1997: Barry Van Treese is beaten to death at an Oklahoma City motel he owned. Two employees, Justin Sneed and Richard Glossip, are arrested.
Aug. 14, 1998: Glossip is convicted of murder and sentenced to death. Prosecutors argued a murder-for-hire scheme; handyman Sneed testified that Glossip promised him $10,000 to kill Van Treese.
July 17, 2001: The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals overturns Glossip's conviction and orders a new trial.
Aug. 27, 2004: Glossip is again sentenced to death after a second trial.
April 29, 2014: Oklahoma uses midazolam for the first time in the execution of Clayton Lockett, who writhes and groans; the execution is halted, but Lockett dies 43 minutes later.
Nov. 20, 2014: Glossip's scheduled execution is delayed for drug procurement and staff training.
Jan. 28, 2015: After Glossip is served a final meal, the U.S. Supreme Court halts his execution and those of two other inmates to consider a challenge to midazolam.
June 29, 2015: A divided Supreme Court upholds Oklahoma's use of midazolam.
Sept. 15, 2015: Glossip is served a second last meal: chicken fried steak, fish and chips, a bacon cheeseburger, and a strawberry malt.
Sept. 16, 2015: Hours before execution, the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals grants a two-week reprieve to review new evidence.
Sept. 29, 2015: Glossip is served a third last meal: a medium pizza, two fish and chips, a bacon cheeseburger, and a strawberry malt.
Sept. 30, 2015: Prison officials prepare to execute Glossip, but the governor stays the procedure due to a drug protocol mismatch.
Oct. 2, 2015: The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals puts all executions on indefinite hold.
Feb. 13, 2020: Oklahoma announces plans to resume executions with a three-drug protocol.
May 5, 2023: The U.S. Supreme Court halts Glossip's execution at the urging of Oklahoma's attorney general, who deemed the trial unfair.
Feb. 25, 2025: The Supreme Court throws out Glossip's conviction, ruling prosecutors violated his right to a fair trial by allowing false testimony from Sneed.
June 9, 2025: Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond announces plans to retry Glossip, stating he believes Glossip is guilty despite the unfair trial.
May 14, 2026: An Oklahoma judge orders a $500,000 bond for Glossip, allowing him to leave jail while awaiting trial.
