Kim Kardashian Pays Bail for Former Death Row Inmate Richard Glossip After 29 Years in Prison

Richard Glossip, a former Oklahoma death row inmate, has been released from prison after nearly 30 years behind bars. His release came after Kim Kardashian helped pay his bail, according to prison reform advocate and film producer Scott Budnick.

Budnick shared photos on Instagram showing Glossip leaving prison and thanked Kardashian for covering the cost of his bail. He wrote that Glossip had spent 29 years on Oklahoma’s death row while claiming he was innocent.

Glossip was convicted in the 1997 killing of Oklahoma City motel owner Barry Van Treese. Prosecutors said Van Treese was beaten to death with a baseball bat and accused Glossip of arranging the murder.

Over the years, Glossip came close to execution several times. He was given nine execution dates and reportedly ate his final meal three separate times before executions were delayed or stopped.

In 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned his conviction. The court found that prosecutors allowed a key witness to give testimony they allegedly knew was false, violating Glossip’s right to a fair trial.

Although Glossip has now been released on bail, prosecutors plan to put him on trial again. However, they have said they will not seek the death penalty in the new case.

Kim Kardashian has become known for supporting criminal justice reform efforts and has worked on several high-profile cases involving prison sentences and death row inmates. Actress Susan Sarandon has also publicly supported Glossip and argued that he is innocent.