‘The chance to taste freedom’: Richard Glossip released on bond ahead of retrial after almost 30 years in prison
05/15/2026 2:00 pm PDT
OKLAHOMA CITY (TCN) -- A judge has granted $500,000 bond to former death row inmate Richard Glossip, who has been in prison since 1997.
According to CNN, Glossip was convicted for his role in a murder-for-hire plot involving his boss, 54-year-old motel owner Barry Van Treese, in 1998. The United States Supreme Court overturned Glossip’s conviction and sentence last year due to false testimony that the prosecution did not correct, but he was denied bail while waiting for retrial.
The false testimony was presented by Justin Sneed, who beat Van Treese to death in 1997. Sneed, who was 19 at the time, and Glossip were both employees at Van Treese’s hotel. In exchange for receiving life behind bars without parole, he gave the testimony against Glossip, the only testimony connecting him to the crime, per CNN. Glossip refused to take a plea and maintained his innocence throughout proceedings. During the trial, he was presented as the person who had masterminded the plot to kill Van Treese.
KOCO reports that Oklahoma County District Judge Natalie Mai said in her 13-page decision, “Based on the ample record at this point in time, the court finds that it cannot deny bail to Glossip.”
On July 17, 2001, the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals overturned the conviction and sentence, and ordered a new trial for Glossip, according to KFOR. He was sentenced to death again in 2004. His execution was stayed twice in 2015 and again in 2023.
The Guardian reports Glossip’s story and consistent claims of innocence have drawn support from celebrities including Susan Sarandon and Kim Kardashian.
In a statement, CNN reports that Glossip’s attorney Don Knight said, “For the first time in 29 years of being incarcerated for a crime he did not commit, during which he faced nine execution dates and ate three last meals, Mr. Glossip now has the chance to taste freedom.”
According to CNN, once Glossip posts bond, he must wear an ankle monitor, avoid alcohol and drugs, follow a curfew, avoid contact with witnesses or family members of the victim, and stay within Oklahoma.
The Oklahoman reports Kardashian paid the $50,000 fee to secure Glossip’s release. He is scheduled to appear in court again on June 23.
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