Supreme Court denies stay, Glossip’s execution moves forward

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MCALESTER, Okla. – The U.S. Supreme Court denied an Oklahoma inmate’s attorneys pleas for a stay of execution.

Richard Glossip was set to die on Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 3 p.m.

However, his execution was delayed while prison officials waited for a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Glossip is convicted of murder for the 1997 death of motel owner Barry Van Treese, though Glossip wasn’t the actual killer.

The man who bludgeoned Van Treese to death, Justin Sneed, testified that Glossip hired him for the murder.

Glossip has been on death row since 1998.

His execution has been stayed three times and he still maintains his innocence.

On Monday, the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals denied Glossip’s request for a stay of execution.

Tuesday, Glossip’s attorneys filed a petition to the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, asking them to reconsider their decision to deny a hearing for new evidence.

Glossip’s attorneys were also appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Just before 3 p.m. on Wednesday, the Supreme Court denied Glossip’s stay of execution, meaning the procedure will move forward.

The U.S. Supreme Court has denied a stay of execution for #RichardGlossip. At this time, please keep Richard in your thoughts and prayers.

— Sister Helen Prejean (@helenprejean) September 30, 2015

According to the denial, Justice Steven Breyer was the one who was in favor of granting a stay.

A representative for Pope Francis sent Governor Mary Fallin a letter asking her to commute Glossip’s sentence.

However, Fallin maintains that she has no authority to stop his execution.

#RichardGlossip is innocent and we will fight until the very last second to stop his execution.

— Sister Helen Prejean (@helenprejean) September 30, 2015

For his last meal, Glossip asked for Pizza Hut, Long John Silvers and Wendy’s. There is a $25 limit on inmate’s last meal requests.

Officials selected media witnesses for Glossip’s execution Wednesday afternoon just before 2 p.m.

KFOR’s Ali Meyer has been selected as Oklahoma City’s media witness for the execution.

I have been selected to witness #GlossipExecution.. pic.twitter.com/rG9TjQJKWU

— Ali Meyer (@amanchor) September 30, 2015

DOC Protocol: Media witnesses will leave for H-Unit in 20 minutes. We are allowed state-issued pencil/paper. That is all. #GlossipExecution

— Ali Meyer (@amanchor) September 30, 2015

While many people at the prison were waiting for the Supreme Court’s decision on the case, dozens of others took to protesting the death penalty outside the governor’s mansion.