Oklahoma governor stays execution of Richard Glossip amid drug concerns

[Eugene]

Source: The Guardian

Oklahoma governor Mary Fallin has issued a stay of execution for Richard Glossip amid concerns over one of the drugs to be used to put him to death.

The order came an hour after the US supreme court denied a last-minute appeal alleging that new evidence showed Glossip was framed by the actual killer.

Outside the prison in McAlester, Glossip’s family were visibly upset at hearing of the supreme court’s refusal to issue a reprieve, local media reported. Attorney Don Knight told the crowd: “There’s nothing more we can do ... Everyone knows. The world knows that Richard Glossip is innocent.”

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Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/sep/30/richard-glossip-oklahoma-execution

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Guardian staff and agencies
Wednesday 30 September 2015 22.08 BST

[avebury]

1. He shouldn't even be on death row in the first place.

The Prosecutor had no solid evidence on him. He was convicted solely based on the testimony of the man who actually committed the murder.

Now considering the fact that Oklahoma loves to execute people I imagine that either 1) the star witness was either told to play ball with the Prosececution or face the death penalty himself or 2) he decided to point the finger at Glossip in order to keep himself off of death row. Either way, the star witness' testimony is really suspect. The star witness (aka murderer) claimed that Glossip paid him to murder the victim. I never heard of any evidence to substantiate that claim and the actual murder had every reason to lie.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

4. The "star witness" has apparently told eight completely irreconcilable stories.

His own daughter doesn't believe him and supports the condemned.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

2. Huh?

If they didn't have the drugs, why even bother with this torturous charade?

We're they hoping the supreme court would spare them the embarrassment?

[mountain grammy]

3. I believe this is an innocent man..

and I thought OK was pro life.. guess just pro forced birth.

[avebury]

5. Oklahoma is only pro-life until birth occurs, after

that not so much. This state loves to execute people and of course are pro guns and war.


Mark Furhman wrote a really good book on 10 death penalty cases in Oklahoma County during the era of DA Bob Macy and disgraced lab tech Joyce Gilchrist (Death and Justice). Living in Oklahoma County I ran out and bought the book as soon as it came out.

I am actually shocked that Fallin issued a stay of execution. She went against the State Supreme court and told them to go ahead with what is now known as the botched execution.

[mountain grammy]

6. I was surprised she did also.

I heard about Furhman's book but haven't read it. I did read "An Innocent Man" by John Grisham. Gruesome story.

[Laurian]

7. Surely this on again, off again farce qualifies as

cruel and unusual punishment. I cannot imagine any human going through this. It freaks me out.

[Heidi]

8. Kick!