Richard Glossip murder trial begins Sept. 28

A judge ruled Tuesday that a new murder trial for Richard Glossip will begin Sept. 28. Glossip, 63, was released on bond in May after spending nearly three decades on Oklahoma's death row. The case stems from the 1997 killing of motel owner Barry Van Treese, who was bludgeoned with a baseball bat.

Prosecutors alleged a murder-for-hire scheme and relied on testimony from co-defendant Justin Sneed, who avoided the death penalty by agreeing to testify. The Supreme Court overturned Glossip's conviction last year after finding that prosecutors allowed Sneed to give false testimony about his mental health history.

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond agreed a new trial was required. Glossip was convicted twice and sentenced to death. Oklahoma courts set nine execution dates for him, and he ate three separate last meals before stays were granted. He was once held in a cell next to the execution chamber before the governor paused executions.

A spokesperson for the attorney general said the office is pleased with the ruling. Glossip's attorney declined to comment. Drummond is not seeking the death penalty in the retrial. Glossip has maintained his innocence and received support from public figures. Van Treese's family had asked the Supreme Court to uphold the original conviction and sentence.