Court halts execution to review new evidence

McALESTER, Okla. (AP) – An appeals court has agreed to halt the execution of an Oklahoma man who claims he was framed for the 1997 beating death of his boss.

Richard Eugene Glossip was scheduled for execution at 3 p.m. Wednesday. But the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals granted a request from Glossip’s attorneys, who say they needed more time to explore new evidence.

Glossip was twice convicted of ordering the killing of Barry Van Treese, who owned the Oklahoma City motel where Glossip worked. His co-worker, Justin Sneed, was convicted of fatally beating Van Treese and was a key prosecution witness in Glossip’s trials.

But Glossip’s attorneys say they have new evidence, including a signed affidavit from another inmate who claims he heard Sneed admit he set Glossip up.

Gov. Mary Fallin said she’ll respect whatever decision the court makes. Glossip was just hours from lethal injection Wednesday when his execution was halted. Fallin has said she thinks Glossip is guilty.