Brother Of Richard Glossip's Victim Speaks Out

The Supreme Court orders Oklahoma to postpone its next three executions.

Wednesday, January 28th 2015, 6:36 pm

By: News 9


The Supreme Court orders Oklahoma to postpone its next three executions. Convicted murderer Richard Glossip was the next inmate to be put to death.

But even before the stay was issued, his victim's family wants their story heard.

Only on 9, News 9's Justin Dougherty sat down with the brother of Barry Van Treese.

"My wife called me and told me Barry had been found dead and, I get pretty upset about this whole deal," said Ken Van Treese, the victim Barry Van Treese's brother.

For 18 years Ken Van Treese has lived with only memories of his oldest brother Barry.

"Just acting like a couple of teenagers and we're middle age men," said Ken.

In January of 1997, Ken lost the brother he called his hero.

Richard Glossip was later convicted for Barry's murder. He was found guilty for plotting and hiring Justin Sneed, who was found guilty for beating Barry to death with a baseball bat.

Glossip has since claimed his innocence even turning down a deal to get off death row.

"I can't stand there and say I did something I didn't do, just to save my own life. That's a ridiculous thing to even think of," said Richard Glossip, death row inmate.

But Ken, who said he went to every minute of every trial, backed the decision by the jury.

"You live with the consequences of your actions and the death penalty is the consequences of taking somebody else's life or causing someone else to take someone's life. That's the law," said Ken.

And while Ken supports that law, he feels it still won't bring justice for the Van Treese Family.

"That is not going to be justice, justice is the day Barry gets hug his kids, that's justice and until you can provide that to me, don't talk to me about justice," said Ken.

Ken also said he promised Glossip in 1997 that he would be there for the execution,

Once the Supreme Court makes a decision, Ken plans to keep that promise.

Oral arguments at Supreme Court are set for April 29th. A decision is expected in late June.

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