Anti-Death Penalty Activists Support Richard Glossip In OKC

Tuesday night News 9 heard from the next death row inmate to be executed, Richard Glossip.

Tuesday, January 27th 2015, 6:39 pm

By: News 9


Tuesday night News 9 heard from the next death row inmate to be executed, Richard Glossip.

With just two days left, his supporters said the eyes of the world are on Oklahoma.

For the past 18 years Glossip has gained international support.

While Richard Glossip awaited a Supreme Court ruling voices became louder, even his own from death row.

Convicted for the 1997 murder of his then boss Barry Van Treese, Richard Glossip has consistently claimed his innocence, even turning down a deal to get off death row.

1/24/2015 Related Story: Attorneys For Death Row Inmate Richard Glossip To File For Stay

"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, convicted murderer, currently on death row.

Glossip has even gained support from around the world. More than 30,000 signatures from more than 15 countries have been collected on a petition to stop Glossip's execution. One of those was from renowned anti-death penalty advocate, Sister Helen Prejean.

"It isn't just about innocence; it's about that we the citizens have our name on that gurney. We are the ones saying yes we support this or the government will not be able to do this," said Sister Helen Prejean, an anti-death penalty advocate.

"I think the best thing that can happen to me right now is for Sister Helen and everybody to go into the public and say, ‘Hey look this is what happened,'" said Glossip.

According to court documents, Glossip offered then co-worker, Justin Sneed, $10,000 to kill Van Treese.

Records showed Sneed beat Van Treese to death with a baseball bat.

The Van Treese family shared their thoughts in court last October.

"I will speak for my brother: It hurts like hell to have your head bashed in with a baseball bat. Do not feel sorry for the guy who took my life!" The victim's brother wrote.

"That violence was intentional. Planned and directed by Richard Glossip,” and,” the death penalty isn't revenge. It is the law,” wrote the victim's sister.

Tuesday, all parties involved continued to await a decision by the United States Supreme Court.

Justin Sneed served life without parole for the murder of Van Treese.

Both Glossip's attorneys and the Oklahoma Attorney General have filed a request for stay with the Supreme Court.

It's unclear when the court will make a decision.

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