Richard Glossip: State Rep. JJ Humphrey Reacts to Supreme Court ruling

In the wake of a recent ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court, advocates for justice are rallying around the case of Richard Glossip, a man whose conviction has been mired in controversy due to allegations of prosecutorial misconduct and evidence tampering.

State Rep. JJ Humphrey, a key figure in the movement to seek justice for Glossip, recounted the initial steps he took after being convinced to call attorney Don Knight. “I told Don, if you got a smoking gun, pull it because I'm not going to be on the phone very long,” Humphrey said. What followed was a lengthy conversation that revealed troubling insights into Glossip's prosecution. “I learned some of the people who prosecuted some of the people who defended and felt like it was really possible that he didn't get a really great defense,” he explained.

After examining the case, Humphrey was shocked by the initial verdict. “Just came to the conclusion of how did this guy ever get convicted,” he remarked. This realization prompted him to join a coalition of advocates, including Kevin McDougal, Justin Jackson, and lobbyist Jamie Longaker, to push for an independent investigation into the case. “We were able to get an independent investigation from a law firm group. They were just awesome, very, very great,” Humphrey added, highlighting the team’s commitment to uncovering the truth.

The investigation revealed “unbelievable things that just are mind-blowing,” according to Humphrey. Despite these findings, he lamented that “Oklahoma refused to look at any of those cases or facts of the case.”

Humphrey’s reaction to the Supreme Court's ruling was one of skepticism, especially given the conservative nature of the current bench. “I would say maybe the most conservative bench we've ever had,” he stated. He emphasized that the pursuit of justice should transcend political affiliations. “This shouldn't be about being conservative or Democrat. The court system should be blind to who's in front of them,” he asserted.

Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Humphrey pointed to the evidence destruction that has emerged in Glossip’s case. “When they destroy key evidence, that tells you they don't have a case,” he declared. He expressed outrage at the idea that prosecutors, in their efforts to secure a conviction, would engage in such unethical practices. “When they're having to destroy the evidence that would free somebody... that makes those prosecutors no better than murderers in my opinion,” Humphrey stated passionately.

He also recounted how, in Glossip's case, the only thing preventing his execution was the administration of the wrong medication. “He was seconds away from dying... the court system didn't save him. That wrong medicine is what saved his life,” Humphrey said.

As the fight for Glossip’s justice continues, advocates like Humphrey remain steadfast in their belief that fairness in the legal system must be preserved. “All of us should get a fair trial. That’s the one thing that we should all be able to depend on,” he concluded.