Oklahoma death row inmate loses clemency bid despite attorney general appeal

The pardon and parole board voted by 2-2 on Wednesday to deny Glossip, 60, clemency in the face of exceptional resistance from Republican politicians in Oklahoma who have joined forces to try and stop his execution going ahead. As things now stand, only the Republican governor Kevin Stitt stands between Glossip and the death chamber, with lethal injection set for 18 May.

Drummond requested a stay of execution, but last week the Oklahoma court of criminal appeals gave the green light for it to proceed.

Glossip has already come within hours of being put to death three times since he was convicted of the 1997 murder of Barry Van Treese, the owner of a Best Budget motel in Oklahoma City where Glossip worked as manager. The prisoner has never been accused of actually killing Van Treese.

No other forensic or corroborating evidence was presented at trial against Glossip. He was sent to death row while the self-confessed killer, Sneed, was given life without parole.