Oklahoma County judge continues bond hearing for Richard Glossip

UPDATE (6/18/25) — An Oklahoma County judge continued a bond hearing for Richard Glossip, who was on death row in Oklahoma for nearly 30 years. 

FOX23 told you when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Glossip did not receive a fair trial and threw out his conviction and death sentence, ordering the State of Oklahoma to provide him a new trial.

The judge said she needs time to review transcripts from Glossip's preliminary hearing and trials before deciding whether to grant him bond. 

It's unclear when those transcripts will get to the judge.

We also told you Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond said the state will not seek the death penalty for Glossip again, but does still plan to prosecute him for non-capital murder.

OKLAHOMA — Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond will prosecute former death row inmate Richard Glossip for non-capital murder and will not seek the death penalty.

The existing first-degree murder charges filed against Glossip for the 1997 beating death of Barry Van Treese does not plan to be dismissed, Drummond said.

Drummond said his office is not seeking the death penalty against Glossip because the man who admitted to murdering Van Treese with a baseball bat is serving a sentence of life without the possibility of parole.

Oklahoma County District Judge Heather Coyle set Glossip's next court date for June 17.

Drummond had fought for a new trial after admitting prosecutorial misconduct tainted Glossip's earlier conviction. The U.S. ruled in his favor and Drummond said he has been assessing evidence and interviewing witnesses to determine how to deliver justice for the Van Treese family.

Drummond said the accused will receive a fair trial.

“While it was clear to me and to the U.S. Supreme Court that Mr. Glossip did not receive a fair trial, I have never proclaimed his innocence,” said Drummond. “After the high court remanded the matter back to district court, my office thoroughly reviewed the merits of the case against Richard Glossip and concluded that sufficient evidence exists to secure a murder conviction. The same United States Constitution that guarantees our rights also ensures the rights of the accused. Unlike past prosecutors who allowed a key witness to lie on the stand, my office will make sure Mr. Glossip receives a fair trial based on hard facts, solid evidence and truthful testimony.”

Glossip was initially charged with accessory to murder in January 1997 after the murder of his boss, Oklahoma City motel owner Barry Van Treese. Justin Sneed, an employee of Glossip, confessed to beating Van Treese to death in a motel room, but testified that Glossip paid him to do it. Glossip admitted to helping cover up the killing.

Sneed received a sentence of life in prison without parole. Glossip was sentenced to death for first-degree murder.

Drummond ordered an independent review of the case after he took office in 2023. After finding multiple instance of trial error, Drummond filed a motion with the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals (OCCA) to set aside Glossip's conviction and remand the case back to district court. The OCCA rejected the request.

Glossip v. Oklahoma went to the U.S. Supreme Court. Justices affirmed that prosecutors had committed a Napue violation by knowingly allowing false testimony that prevented Glossip from receiving a fair trial, Drummond said.

Drummond said Sneed had wrongfully claimed he was not receiving medical treatment for mental issues when prosecutors knew he had been prescribed lithium for a psychiatric condition. Evidence shows prosecutors knew, or should have known, the testimony was false but allowed it to stand.

Drummond is seeking a sentence of life in prison for Glossip, who had already served 27 years.

“The Van Treese family has endured grief, pain and frustration since the murder of their loved one, and my heart goes out to them,” said Drummond. “The poor judgment and previous misconduct of past prosecutors have only compounded that pain and frustration. While I cannot go back 25 years and handle the case in the proper way that would have ensured true justice, I still have a duty to seek the justice that is available today.”