McALESTER, Okla. — Several family members of Barry Van Treese were at the prison Wednesday to witness the execution of Richard Glossip.
The family left prison grounds as soon as the stay was announced, refusing to make a statement for the media.
Glossip had six supporters who were scheduled to witness the execution. When the stay of execution came down, Glossip’s friends and family were in a holding area inside prison walls.
Famous Catholic nun Sister Helen Prejean said she knew all day long that Glossip would get a stay.
“We were dumb-founded,” said Ian Woods, a 31 year veteran reporter from the UK. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”
Woods started writing about Glossip last year. That coverage kick-started a friendship with the death row inmate. Today, Woods came to Oklahoma to witness the execution, not as a journalist, but as a friend.
Attorney Kathleen Lord was there, too; she’s the mastermind behind the legal brief.
“He [Glossip] has an amazing attitude,” Lord said. “He was realistic, but he hadn’t given up hope.”
Experts agreed filing was a long shot, but flocks of supporters kept the faith.
“Shame on me for not believing a nun,” laughed Woods, who was skeptical the legal maneuver would work.
