A former Oklahoma City motel manager scheduled to die for the 1997 beating death of the motel's owner is planning to ask a state panel to spare his life.
Richard Glossip will request clemency during a hearing Friday before the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board. The board could vote to recommend the governor grant Glossip clemency.
The 51-year-old Glossip was convicted of first-degree murder in the 1997 beating death of Barry Alan Van Treese of Lawton at a west Oklahoma City motel. A co-defendant confessed to beating Van Treese to death, but claims he did so at Glossip's direction.
Glossip has maintained his innocence.
Defense attorney Mark Henricksen says it's clear from the state's case that Glossip was not the actual killer and that his client's life has value.
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