Oklahoma governor issues last-minute stay for Richard Glossip

The state will now review protocal questions

(Janelle Stecklein/Community Newspaper Holdings Inc/AP)

Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin issued a stay on Wednesday afternoon as Richard Glossip was scheduled to face the death penalty. The governor issued the following statement:

“Last minute questions were raised today about Oklahoma’s execution protocol and the chemicals used for lethal injection. 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," the statement read. “My sincerest sympathies go out to the Van Treese family, who has waited so long to see justice done."

The 53-year-old was scheduled to recieve a three-drug exectution cocktail after he was sentenced to death in 2004. The court will now decide if the drug cocktail is compliant with state protocal.

He was convicted in 1997 of the murder of Barry Van Treese. Justin Sneed, the motel owner's killer, testified that he was hired by Glossip to murder Van Treese.

Glossip's new exection date is 6 November.