An Oklahoma prison gate has opened for Richard Glossip, a man who spent nearly 30 years facing the death penalty, following a critical assist from Kim Kardashian.
Glossip, who has consistently maintained his innocence since his arrest in the late 1990s, was granted a $500,000 bond by an Oklahoma judge. To secure his immediate release, a 10% cash payment of $50,000 was required. Activist and film producer Scott Budnick broke the news on social media, sharing the moment Glossip walked out of custody. Budnick added that the billionaire reality star covered the financial requirement right away, writing, “AFTER 29 YEARS INNOCENT ON OKLAHOMA’S DEATH ROW – RICHARD GLOSSIP WALKED OUT AS A FREE MAN THIS AFTERNOON!!!!” before confirming the bond was “GRACIOUSLY paid for” by Kim.
The lengthy legal battle began after the 1997 death of Barry Van Treese, a motel owner who employed Glossip. The state argued that Glossip masterminded a murder for hire plot, leading to a capital conviction.
Throughout his decades behind bars, Glossip faced an exceptionally brutal psychological toll, seeing nine separate execution dates scheduled and ordering his final meal three times before receiving last-minute reprieves.
The case took a dramatic turn when the U.S. Supreme Court threw out the conviction. The high court determined that the state’s prosecution team allowed a vital witness to lie under oath despite knowing the testimony was false, an act that fundamentally destroyed Glossip’s right to a fair trial.
While the state still plans to move forward with a retrial, the attorney general’s office has stated it will no longer ask for the death penalty.
Kim is part of a larger circle of high profile names who have fought for Glossip over the years, alongside actress Susan Sarandon and advocate Jason Flom.
While Kim continues her studies to complete her legal education, her financial resources and public platform continue to directly alter the lives of people impacted by the justice system.
