Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin has issued a last minute stay of execution for Richard Glossip, according to KFOR, Oklahoma's NBC affiliate. It is the second reprieve Glossip has received this month. The delay is for one month, due to questions surrounding the drugs used for execution in the state.
Glossip, 52, was found guilty of the 1997 murder of motel owner Barry Van Treese, as previously reported by HNGN.
"Last minute questions were raised today about Oklahoma's execution protocol and the chemicals used for lethal injection," said Fallin, according to MSNBC. "After consulting with the attorney general and the Department of Corrections, I have issued a 37 day stay of execution while the state addresses those questions and ensures it is complying fully with the protocols approved by federal courts."
Wednesday's 3 p.m. scheduled execution was already rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court, reported The Washington Post, and Governor Fallin represented a final chance that halt the execution, and it went right down to the wire.
Fallin in a surprise and unexpected stay of execution, gave Glossip and his team of lawyers until November 6, his next date for execution.
The case has been surrounded by controversy for the alleged lack of evidence with the evidence being a being the sole word of a convicted murderer. Because of this, the high profile case has drawn strong support from celebrities, including Pope Francis, Susan Sarandon and Richard Branson, all against the death penalty.
The statement issued Wednesday afternoon from Governor Fallin reads:
"Governor Mary Fallin has issued a 37 day stay of Richard Glossip's execution to address legal questions raised today about Oklahoma's execution protocols. The stay will give the Department of Corrections and its attorneys the opportunity to determine whether potassium acetate is compliant with the state's court-approved execution procedures."
"Last minute questions were raised today about Oklahoma's execution protocol and the chemicals used for lethal injection," said Fallin. "After consulting with the attorney general and the Department of Corrections, I have issued a 37 day stay of execution while the state addresses those questions and ensures it is complying fully with the protocols approved by federal courts."
Glossip's next execution date is set for Friday, November 6.
"My sincerest sympathies go out to the Van Treese family, who has waited so long to see justice done," Fallin said.
