Oklahoma Co. judge to rule on bond release of former Death Row inmate Richard Glossip

A judge is expected to decide whether Richard Glossip will be released from jail while he awaits a new trial in the 1997 Oklahoma City motel murder case.

OKLAHOMA CITY -Former death row inmate Richard Glossip could learn as soon as today whether he will be released on bond while he awaits a new trial in Oklahoma County.

A judge in Oklahoma City is expected to issue a ruling later today on whether Glossip will be granted bond after spending decades in custody tied to the 1997 killing of motel owner Barry Van Treese.

Glossip spent more than 20 years on death row before his conviction was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2025, which found he did not receive a fair trial. He has remained in the Oklahoma County Jail while the case moves toward a retrial.

His case returned to the district court after the high court ruling, and he has been held in custody as proceedings continue. A trial date has not yet been set, though prosecutors have said they will not seek the death penalty in the case.

Glossip was convicted in connection with the 1997 murder of Oklahoma City motel owner Van Treese. Prosecutors said Glossip arranged for a co-worker, Justin Sneed, to kill him. Sneed admitted to beating Van Treese to death and testified against Glossip in exchange for avoiding the death penalty.

The bond decision comes after recent court arguments in which defense attorneys sought to enforce a previously discussed agreement with the state that they say could have led to Glossip’s release. Prosecutors argued the agreement was never finalized.

Van Treese’s widow attended a recent hearing and said she will continue attending court proceedings as the case moves forward.

The judge’s ruling on bond is expected on Thursday, May 14.

Source: news9.com, Christian Hans, May 14, 2026

"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,
but by the punishments that the good have inflicted."
— Oscar Wilde

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