Richard Glossip, an Oklahoma death row inmate who has faced execution nine times and consumed three "last meals," has been granted a new trial by the U.S. Supreme Court. The 5-3 decision, delivered on February 25, 2025, found that prosecutors violated Glossip's constitutional rights by not correcting false testimony from the key witness, Justin Sneed. Sneed, who admitted to the 1997 murder of motel owner Barry Van Treese, had implicated Glossip in exchange for avoiding the death penalty himself. Evidence later revealed that Sneed had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and had lied about his psychiatric history during the trial. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond supported Glossip's appeal, acknowledging flaws in the original conviction. This ruling underscores the importance of fair trials and the ethical responsibilities of prosecutors in capital punishment cases.
During his 27 years on death row, Glossip has been scheduled for execution nine times, leading to three instances where he was served a "last meal." These meals included items such as a Baconator sandwich from Wendy's, pizza, a strawberry shake, and fish and chips. The repeated postponements of his execution were due to various legal challenges and concerns over the validity of his conviction. The Supreme Court's recent decision offers Glossip another opportunity to prove his innocence in a new trial.
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