[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----OKLAHOMA

[Rick Halperin]

Sept. 30



OKLAHOMA----stay of impending execution

Oklahoma governor stays execution of Richard Glossip amid drug 
concerns----Order comes an hour after US supreme court denies last-minute 
appeal over new evidence Glossip's attorneys allege show he was framed for 
murder of boss


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."

About 30 people also gathered in front of the Oklahoma governor's mansion to 
protest the execution.

The protesters held signs that read "Don't Kill For Me, Stop Executions" and 
"Save Richard Glossip".

Glossip, who has maintained his innocence, was convicted twice of orchestrating 
the beating death of Barry Van Treese, the owner of the Oklahoma City motel 
where Glossip worked. But Glossip claims he was framed by Justin Sneed, who is 
serving a life sentence and was the state's key witness against Glossip in 2 
separate trials.

Just hours before Glossip was originally to be put to death on 16 September the 
Oklahoma court of criminal appeals granted a 2-week reprieve to review his 
claims of new evidence in the case, including another inmate's assertion that 
he overheard Sneed admit to framing Glossip.

(source: The Guardian)