The execution of the death sentence on 59-year-old Richard Glossipa, who is in Oklahoma State Prison, was postponed this time by 60 days. The execution of a man convicted of murder in 1997 was postponed for the fourth time. In the previous three cases, it was at the last minute, when Glossip had already passed its traditional last meal.
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt signed a document on Tuesday postponing the scheduled September 22 execution of Richard Glossip by 60 days. The new scheduled date for the execution of the death sentence on the man convicted of the 1997 murder is December 22 of this year. “The adjournment was granted to give the Oklahoma Court of Appeals time to deal with the proceedings,” the politician signed in the document.
Sentenced to death, he ate his last meal three times
“We are extremely grateful to Governor Stitt for the thoughtful and compassionate decision to grant a 60-day adjournment of Richard’s execution well in advance of the scheduled pardon hearing on August 23,” Glossipa’s attorney Don Knight wrote in a statement.
Richard GlossipOklahoma Department of Corrections / Associated Press / East News
The lawyer emphasized that thanks to the governor’s decision, the convict would avoid the “cruel procedure” that he had gone through three times before the execution. Each time the execution of the death sentence was postponed at the last minute, and Glossip was even after the last meal of the convicts. He always chose the same set: fish and chips, Wendy’s bacon cheeseburger, pizza, and a strawberry smoothie.
The last attempt to execute the Glossipa sentence took place in September 2015. A few hours before the execution, it turned out that the wrong poison had been delivered to the prison.
Controversial witness in a homicide case
Glossip was sentenced to death for the 1997 murder of motel owner Barry Van Tresse. Glossip worked there as a manager. Van Tresse was killed as a result of blows inflicted with a baseball bat. The motel restorer, Justin Sneed, confessed to killing the man, but he told the investigators that he had committed the crime on behalf of Glossip. It was Seed’s testimony that was the key evidence against the 59-year-old.
The case has been controversial for many years. Defense attorney Glossipa emphasizes that Sneed is not a credible witness as he avoided the death penalty by charging their client. He is supported by a committee of several dozen state deputies and senators. They are calling for Sneed to be questioned again, pointing out that there is evidence that Van Tresse’s killer wanted to retract his statements. “Oklahoma residents – both opponents and supporters of the death penalty – will not tolerate the sentence being carried out without giving him (Glossip – ed.) A chance to summon a witness and confront the lies of Justin Sneed, who stole Glossip’s 25 years of life. “- said Kevin McDugle, one of the committee members, quoted by Newsweek.
The condemned man himself maintains that he is innocent.
“Newsweek”, “The Guardian ‘
Main photo source: Oklahoma Department of Corrections / Associated Press / East News