Latest news with #Sneed
The Intercept
16-07-2025
- The Intercept
Emails Reveal Oklahoma Attorney General Agreed to Release Richard Glossip
Two years before the U.S. Supreme Court vacated Richard Glossip's conviction and death sentence, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond sent an email to Glossip's attorney, agreeing to a plan for Glossip's release should a court rule in his favor. 'Once the conviction is vacated,' Glossip's attorney Don Knight wrote to Drummond on April 1, 2023, the state would bring a new charge against his client: 'a single count of being an Accessory After the Fact.' Glossip 'will plead guilty to this charge' and be given credit for time served. Under the terms, Glossip would be entitled to immediate release. 'We are in agreement,' Drummond replied. Instead of following through with the agreement, Drummond, a Republican who is currently running for governor, reversed course and announced in June that Oklahoma would again prosecute Glossip for first degree murder in the 1997 death of motel owner Barry Van Treese. The email exchange was filed as part of an unusual motion by Glossip's defense team in Oklahoma County District Court on Wednesday. The filing asks the court to enforce the previous agreement, which the lawyers describe as a binding contract. 'As Mr. Glossip remains in custody despite the Attorney General's agreement that he should have been released at least two years ago, this matter is of the utmost importance and needs to be heard before any other matters are determined,' Glossip's lawyers wrote. 'Drummond has refused to complete his end of the bargain.' Glossip was twice convicted and sentenced to death for murdering Van Treese inside Room 102 of the rundown motel his family owned on the outskirts of Oklahoma City. A 19-year-old maintenance man named Justin Sneed admitted to bludgeoning Van Treese to death, but insisted Glossip put him up to it. Sneed, who is currently serving a life sentence, escaped the death penalty by becoming the star witness against Glossip. Richard Glossip is escorted from the courtroom following a bond hearing before Oklahoma County District Judge Heather Coyle on June 17, 2025. Liliana Segura/The Intercept Glossip had originally been charged as an accessory after-the-fact for initially failing to give police information about the murder. The night Van Treese was killed, Glossip said, Sneed had woken him up around 4 a.m. by knocking on the wall of his apartment, which was adjacent to the motel's office. Standing outside with a black eye, Sneed told Glossip he had chased off some drunks who had broken a window in one of the motel rooms. According to Glossip, he asked Sneed about his black eye, and Sneed flippantly replied, 'I killed Barry.' It wasn't until the next morning, when no one could find Van Treese, that Glossip realized Sneed might have been serious. Still, Glossip didn't tell the cops right away; he said his girlfriend suggested waiting until they figured out what was going on. The 2023 email exchange between Drummond and Knight is extraordinary not only because of its content, but also because of its timing. The agreement came less than a week before Drummond asked the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals to overturn Glossip's conviction. Drummond had assumed office that January and almost immediately appointed a special investigator to review Glossip's case. The review found numerous flaws – including that prosecutors had hidden key evidence from Glossip's defense and that Sneed had lied on the stand – and prompted Drummond's filing with the OCCA. The email exchange reveals that Drummond and Knight had discussed Drummond's plan and strongly suggests that the attorneys believed the OCCA would grant Drummond's motion. Knight's email lays out a step-by-step process for what would happen next. Once the conviction was overturned and sent back to Oklahoma County, Drummond would retain control over the case rather than returning it to the local district attorney; he would effectuate the plea deal. 'The parties agree that Mr. Glossip will receive a sentence of 45 years,' Knight wrote, noting that this was the maximum sentence for accessory after the fact at the time of the murder. 'The State agrees to give Mr. Glossip credit for all time he has served' since 1997. He would also get credit for good behavior. 'The parties stipulate and agree that, with this credit being applied, Mr. Glossip is eligible for immediate release as his sentence was completed in 2016.' In exchange, Glossip would agree not to sue the state for anything related to his 'arrest and incarceration.' Knight told Drummond that he would send a document memorializing the full terms of their deal. 'If I have misstated anything, or left anything out of this agreement, please let me know so I can be sure to include it,' Knight wrote. Drummond offered no notes, simply replying that the two were in agreement. But in a shocking move, the OCCA rejected Drummond's motion, setting Glossip up for yet another execution date. Drummond then took the unprecedented step of urging the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board to intervene, writing in a letter that, while he believed that Glossip is guilty of being an accessory, the record 'does not support that he is guilty of first-degree murder beyond a reasonable doubt.' Testifying at Glossip's clemency hearing in April 2023, Drummond said, 'I'm not aware of any time in our history that an attorney general has appeared before this board and argued for clemency. I'm also not aware of any time in the history of Oklahoma when justice would require it.' Despite Drummond's pleas, the Board rejected Glossip's clemency bid. With Glossip's execution just weeks away, Drummond joined the defense attorneys in asking the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene. The court halted Glossip's execution and agreed to review his conviction. In February, the justices ruled in Glossip's favor, agreeing that prosecutorial misconduct had tainted the case and that Sneed was not credible. In the wake of the ruling, Drummond made the rounds, boasting about his success before the high court. Asked at a press conference how he might resolve the case, Drummond said, 'everything is on the table; a jury trial, all the way down,' but noted it 'would be difficult' to retry Glossip after so many years. Given his public posture, there was every reason to expect that once the case returned to Oklahoma County, Drummond would seek to resolve it – even without a previous agreement. But instead, he did an about-face, announcing in June that the state would seek another first-degree murder conviction for Glossip. At a bond hearing on June 17, the state presented no new evidence to support such a prosecution. In the new motion, Glossip's attorneys emphasize the lack of new evidence, saying that nothing has changed about the state's case that would invalidate the 2023 agreement between Drummond and Knight. The conditions necessary to fulfill the contract have been met, the lawyers note – Glossip's conviction was overturned and sent back to Oklahoma County. Still, they wrote, 'General Drummond has refused to complete his end of the bargain.' Drummond's office did not have an immediate response to The Intercept's request for comment. This isn't the first time Drummond has been accused in court filings of reneging on an agreement to resolve a criminal case. On June 30, Stephen Jones, a powerhouse and politically connected Oklahoma attorney, filed a scathing motion in an unrelated case, complaining that Drummond had weaseled out on a deal to defer prosecution of his client, a former judge suffering from dementia. According to Jones, on two separate occasions Drummond told him they had a deal, then ceased communications and instead assigned an underling to move forward with the case in violation of their agreement. Jones, who describes himself as a 'strong supporter of the Attorney General's political ambitions,' accuses Drummond of playing politics and asks the court to enforce their agreement. Ultimately, Jones contends that whatever happens, forcing his client to go to trial would end up being a public embarrassment for Drummond and his office. 'No jury … is going to convict a terminally ill man with dementia in the middle to final stages of his disease and it will not be well-taken by the jury or the public if the Defendant is actually put to trial,' Jones wrote. Glossip's lawyers have long argued that the same outcome is inevitable if Drummond persists in retrying Glossip for first-degree murder. Drummond has conceded that the state destroyed key evidence in the case and that Sneed's credibility has been unalterably damaged. It's hard to predict how District Judge Heather Coyle will rule on the motion. But the 2023 emails are explosive on their own – and could have a decisive impact on the case regardless of her decision. Under the terms of the deal, Glossip would have been eligible for immediate release. It's hard to imagine how Drummond's office can proceed with a murder trial after agreeing that Glossip should already be free. 'General Drummond has publicly stated that 'a handshake is my word, and my word is my bond,'' Glossip's lawyers wrote in their motion. 'On more than just a handshake—in fact by written acceptance—General Drummond promised to resolve this case.'
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Titans' L'Jarius Sneed Provides Health Update Ahead of Training Camp
Titans' L'Jarius Sneed Provides Health Update Ahead of Training Camp originally appeared on Athlon Sports. All offseason, one of the biggest questions regarding the Titans' defense has centered around cornerback L'Jarius Sneed. The veteran corner, who was traded to the Titans last offseason and immediately agreed to a four-year, $76.4 million deal, hasn't quite panned out so far in his Titans career. He only played in five games last season before a quad injury sidelined him for the rest of the season. Advertisement Sneed is still not cleared, as his quad injury has proven to be more serious than initially thought. He sat out for the entirety of the team's offseason program, and even with coach Brian Callahan's steadfast positivity, fans are starting to lose hope that Sneed will even be on the field to start this season. Tennessee Titans cornerback L'Jarius Sneed (38).Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images After speaking with KTAL news in Shreveport, Louisiana, however Sneed gave many Titans fans reason to be optimistic. "I am healthy as I have been,' Sneed said. 'Last year, my first year didn't go as planned. But it's time to come out and show the world what God has been instilling in me. I'm ready to get back on the field." Those words should be magic to the ears of Titans fans. Sneed, if healthy, would provide a significant boost to the team's cornerback room. Not only did he state that he was ready to get back on the field, but he also gave the fans a vote of confidence about himself during his time talking to the press. Advertisement "I have to remind everyone who L'Jarius Sneed is,' he said. The Titans organization and fans are looking forward to Sneed showing everyone his abilities on the field this season. Although some are exercising caution, Sneed sounds like a man who has been listening to Roy Jones Jr. on repeat, preparing for his eventual clearance to return to the field and display his skills, all the while letting everyone know to never forget about him. It will be interesting to see if he can translate these words and confidence into physical action when he is cleared to return to the field. Related: Former NFL Quarterback Suggests Two Vet WRs for Titans to Add Related: The Key Ingredient To The Titans' Offense This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Titans CB L'Jarius Sneed Hit With Dreaded Label Ahead of 2025 Season
Titans CB L'Jarius Sneed Hit With Dreaded Label Ahead of 2025 Season originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Tennessee Titans mortgaged a bit of their future when they traded for Kansas City Chiefs cornerback L'Jarius Sneed last offseason. Not only did the Titans give up a third-round pick in the process, but they gave him $44 million guaranteed on a four-year deal worth up to $76.4 million. Advertisement Unfortunately, Sneed played just five games for Tennessee last season after suffering an injury. He had zero interceptions or pass deflections in those five contests despite recording 10 interceptions and 40 passes defended in four years with the Chiefs. Head coach Brian Callahan has grown increasingly frustrated with Sneed as he is yet to return to the Titans' offseason program after being placed on the injured reserve last November. Tennessee Titans cornerback L'Jarius Sneed (38).Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images On Thursday, Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox released a list of the 10 worst contracts heading into the 2025 NFL season. Sneed's deal came in at No. 9. "It was odd to see Tennessee immediately give a 27-year-old corner who had never been to a Pro Bowl a deal worth $19.1 million annually—which has him as the league's 11th-highest-paid cornerback a year later," Knox wrote. "If Sneed is unable to bounce back this season, Tennessee can cut him in 2026 and save $11.9 million in cap space, though it would have to eat $20.1 million in dead money to do so." Advertisement Callahan spoke about this matter on Tuesday when he addressed the media after the Titans' mandatory minicamp practice. He expressed his current view on Sneed and how he still has plenty to prove to the coaching staff in Tennessee. "There's a track record of success as well from what he has been as a player. But he's also gotta prove that here too," Callahan said. "He hasn't done that yet for us. ... We're waiting for him to show us the player that he's been. He hasn't reached that level of play for us, so we're waiting for that opportunity to occur." Sneed was a pivotal part of two Super Bowl runs for Kansas City, but if he cannot get back on track with the Titans, this will be another failed roster move made by former general manager Ran Carthon that new general manager Mike Borgonzi has to clean up. Related: Titans HC Brian Callahan Puts L'Jarius Sneed on Notice Amid Prolonged Absence Related: Titans HC Brian Callahan Provides Injury Update on Promising Rookie This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Yahoo
Oklahoma to retry Richard Glossip for noncapital murder after Supreme Court threw out conviction
Oklahoma's top prosecutor said Monday that the state intends to retry Richard Glossip for murder but seek only a life sentence, after the Supreme Court threw out the death row inmate's capital conviction. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond (R) supported Glossip's bid to overturn his conviction in a 1997 murder-for-hire plot, agreeing he received an 'unfair and unreliable' trial. However, he maintained he does not believe Glossip is innocent. The justices in February ruled Glossip's due process rights were violated, tossing his conviction and ordering a new trial in a rare victory for a death row inmate at the high court, which typically does not intervene in such cases. 'While it was clear to me and to the U.S. Supreme Court that Mr. Glossip did not receive a fair trial, I have never proclaimed his innocence,' Drummond said in a statement on Monday. 'After the high court remanded the matter back to district court, my office thoroughly reviewed the merits of the case against Richard Glossip and concluded that sufficient evidence exists to secure a murder conviction. 'The same United States Constitution that guarantees our rights also ensures the rights of the accused,' he continued. 'Unlike past prosecutors who allowed a key witness to lie on the stand, my office will make sure Mr. Glossip receives a fair trial based on hard facts, solid evidence and truthful testimony.' Glossip was convicted for the 1997 killing of his former boss, Barry Van Treese. The motel owner was beaten to death by maintenance worker Justin Sneed, but state prosecutors said Glossip ordered him to carry out the crime in a murder-for-hire scheme. Sneed evaded the death penalty by agreeing to plead guilty and testify against Glossip, earning a life sentence in prison instead. Glossip was found guilty and given a death sentence in 1998, but that conviction was overturned due to ineffective counsel on appeal. He was retried in 2004 and again convicted and sentenced to death. However, Glossip said the state denied him due process by withholding evidence from the defense and knowingly letting the jury hear false testimony from Sneed, a key witness. Drummond emerged as an unlikely ally to Glossip during his appeal. 'We conclude that the prosecution's failure to correct Sneed's trial testimony violated the Due Process Clause,' Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote for the majority. Sotomayor's majority opinion was joined by four other justices. Justice Amy Coney Barrett concurred in part and dissented in part. Justice Clarence Thomas dissented, which Justice Samuel Alito joined. And Justice Neil Gorsuch did not participate in the case, likely because he participated in one of Glossip's earlier appeals while serving on a lower court. Drummond said his office would not seek the death penalty against Glossip because Sneed, who admitted to killing Van Treese, is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Glossip's next court date is set for June 17. 'The Van Treese family has endured grief, pain and frustration since the murder of their loved one, and my heart goes out to them,' Drummond said. 'The poor judgment and previous misconduct of past prosecutors have only compounded that pain and frustration. 'While I cannot go back 25 years and handle the case in the proper way that would have ensured true justice, I still have a duty to seek the justice that is available today,' he said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Southeast Spotlight: Five committed prospects on flip watch
Rivals national recruiting analyst Sam Spiegelman takes a look at five Southeast commitments that could be at risk to flip their pledges before the end of the year. MORE: Three new FutureCasts in for Billy Napier and the Florida Gators CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker RIVALS CAMP SERIES: Rivals Five-Star heading back to Indy | Rivals Five-Star roster | Schedule/info Carter has logged official visits to Georgia and Florida State to open the summer. The touted Rivals250 receiver from the Peach State is a Seminoles legacy and has been back to Tallahassee on a few instances since giving Auburn his commitment. Advertisement North Carolina and Auburn are on deck for Carter. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH AUBURN FANS AT Gibson was one of the first commitments for Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide – committing on Christmas Eve after his junior season and returning to Tuscaloosa on several visits since his declaration. The speedy blue-chip corner is an Ole Miss legacy and returned to Oxford over the weekend for an official. Auburn and Tennessee both are swinging away at Gibson in this one, too. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH ALABAMA FANS AT Harris gave Auburn a commitment last summer during a colossal Big Cat Weekend. Nearly a year later, the Tigers are working to hold onto the in-state Rivals250 edge defender, who has made a string of visits to Tennessee and more recently Florida. Advertisement Alabama is also working hard to keep Harris inside the Yellowhammer State. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH AUBURN FANS AT Keys has logged official visits to Miami and Texas A&M over the past two weekends – with trips back to Alabama, Auburn, Ole Miss and LSU all on the horizon. The No. 1 WR in the Rivals250 out of Hattiesburg (Miss.) High gave Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers an early commitment this spring. He will make his final official visit to Baton Rouge on June 20 before finalizing his college plans. Miami remains in pursuit of Keys, along with Alabama, Auburn and Ole Miss. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH LSU FANS AT Tennessee landed a commitment from Sneed nearly a year ago, and the Vols have been working to hold onto the Rivals250 pass-catcher since. Sneed has made visits around the country this offseason with Ole Miss and Florida making it a tight race with Tennessee at the top of this recruitment. Advertisement Ole Miss made a big move during its official visit on May 30 weekend and Florida gets Sneed back to The Swamp on June 13. The Vols have the last crack at Sneed before he finalizes his plans. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH TENNESSEE FANS AT
