After spending nearly three decades on death row, Richard Glossip was released on bond as he awaits a retrial in the 1997 killing of his boss, Barry Van Treese. The case has drawn national attention, with Kim Kardashian paying for his release.
In light of his release, Us Weekly breaks down what Glossip has been accused of and why his conviction was overturned.
What Did Richard Glossip Do?
Glossip has spent nearly three decades behind bars after he was initially found guilty of killing Treese. However, he has always maintained that he was innocent.
Glossip worked as a handyman at an Oklahoma City motel owned by Treese at the time of the killing.
During the initial trial, Glossip’s alleged accomplice, Justin Sneed, claimed that the handyman hired him to kill Treese and offered to pay him $10,000, according to the Associated Press.
Glossip was ultimately found guilty and was sentenced to death row.
Why Was Richard Glossip’s Conviction Overturned?
In February 2025, Glossip’s murder conviction and death sentence were thrown out by the U.S. Supreme Court and a new trial was ordered.
While making the decision to overturn his conviction, the Supreme Court determined that prosecutors failed to correct false testimony given by Sneed and that Sneed’s psychiatric condition was not publicly revealed to the court, according to the Associated Press.
Additionally, the court found that prosecutors destroyed evidence and withheld witness statements during the original trial.
Richard Glossip Was Released From Prison in May 2026
Judge Natalie Mai ruled that Glossip was eligible for bond on May 14, 2026, and could be released for $500,000.
“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,” his attorney, Don Knight, told CNN.
Hours later, film producer Scott Budnick, a longtime advocate for Glossip’s release, revealed that Kardashian made his release possible.
Budnick wrote via Instagram that Glossip was “released on bail that was GRACIOUSLY paid for immediately by @kimkardashian who’s been fighting for Rich’s freedom for years.”
Glossip was released on the conditions that he must wear an electronic monitoring device, he must not travel outside of Oklahoma, he must not have any contact with witnesses and he must not consume drugs or alcohol, according to the Associated Press.
After his bond was posted, Glossip spoke to the press while leaving prison. “I’m just thankful for my wife and my attorneys. Just thankful. It’s overwhelming, but it’s amazing at the same time,” he said while holding hands with his wife, Lea Glossip.
Richard Glossip’s Case Will Be Retired
After Glossip’s conviction was overturned, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced his plans to retry Glossip for first-degree murder in June 2025. However, Drummond said that prosecutors would not seek the death penalty in the second trial.
“While it was clear to me and to the U.S. Supreme Court that Mr. Glossip did not receive a fair trial, I have never proclaimed his innocence,” Drummond said at the time, per the Associated Press. “Unlike past prosecutors who allowed a key witness to lie on the stand, my office will make sure Mr. Glossip receives a fair trial based on hard facts, solid evidence and truthful testimony.”
