WASHINGTON (CN) - Richard Glossip prevailed in his decadeslong bid for a new trial on Tuesday, as the Supreme Court granted him another chance to prove his innocence. 

Glossip was sentenced to death for the 1996 murder of hotel owner Barry Van Treese. At the time, Glossip worked as the motel's manager with fellow employee Justin Sneed. Sneed pleaded guilty to Van Treese's murder, but he accused Glossip of hiring him to commit the crime. 

Sneed was prosecutors' only direct connection between Glossip and the murder, but testimony from Oklahoma's star witness is now at the heart of Glossip's innocence appeal. 

In 2022, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond uncovered boxes of evidence that prosecutors never turned over to the defense. Glossip's attorneys argued that the hidden documents violated Brady v. Maryland. 

His attorneys say the boxes also contained proof that prosecutors allowed Sneed to lie on the stand, violating Napue v. Illinois. 

Both state lawmakers and Drummond commissioned independent investigations into Glossip's prosecution, finding serious problems undermining the case. Despite those extensive reports, the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals refused to grant Glossip a new trial. 

Glossip urged the Supreme Court to reverse. During oral arguments in October, his attorneys said Sneed's lies about his bipolar disorder and visit with a psychiatrist could have been used by the defense to undermine his credibility. 

Oklahoma took the rare step of arguing in favor of Glossip. The state said the lower court didn't adequately consider the gravity of the attorney general's concerns about Glossip's conviction. 

The Supreme Court appointed Christopher Michel, an attorney with Quinn Emanuel who previously clerked with Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh, to defend the lower court ruling.

This is a developing story and will be updated ...

Source: Courthouse News Service