OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has ordered an independent counsel to review Richard Glossip’s murder conviction and death sentence.
Rex Duncan will investigate. Duncan served as District Attorney of Osage and Pawnee Counties from 2011 to 2019. Duncan is also a retired Colonel who served with the Oklahoma Army National Guard.
“As my office will represent the State at the clemency hearing, it is my responsibility to ensure that we are appropriately responding to all evidence that has been presented through Mr. Glossip’s conviction and incarceration,” Drummond said. “Circumstances surrounding this case necessitate a thorough review. While I am confident in our judicial system, that does not allow me to ignore evidence. This review helps ensure that justice is served, both to the Van Treese family and the accused.”
Several Oklahoma politicians have called for an independent review of Glossip’s case, claiming that prosecutors mishandled evidence from his original case.
Earlier this month, Drummond filed a petition with the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, asking to slow down the rate of executions in McAlester. Drummond claimed that staff members needed more time to prepare between executions.
His request was approved.
The Oklahoma Department of Corrections has rescheduled multiple executions, including Glossip’s. Glossip was scheduled to be executed in February.
Right now, his execution is scheduled for May 18.
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