Kim Kardashian has significantly influenced the release of a former death row inmate by reportedly covering his $500,000 bail.
Richard Glossip, aged 63, was released from Oklahoma State Penitentiary on Thursday as he prepares for a retrial on charges of first-degree murder, according to Us Weekly.
After spending more than 20 years on death row and facing nine planned execution dates, Glossip endured the experience of receiving a ‘last meal’ on three separate occasions.
Glossip was initially found guilty in connection with the 1997 murder of his former employer, Barry Van Treese, a motel owner in Oklahoma City. Prosecutors alleged that Van Treese was beaten to death with a baseball bat and accused Glossip of orchestrating the murder.
Despite his conviction, Glossip has consistently claimed his innocence. In a significant development in February 2025, the US Supreme Court overturned his conviction and ordered a new trial, citing that prosecutors had permitted testimony from a witness they allegedly knew was false—a decision that Kardashian backed.
Kim Kardashian – pictured on May 4 at the Met Gala – has played a pivotal role in the release of former death row inmate Richard Glossip by reportedly posting his $500,000 bail
Judge Natalie Mai set Glossip’s bail at $500,000 on Thursday, which was ‘immediately’ paid by Kardashian, according to Scott Budnick, a film producer whose credits include the 2009 comedy The Hangover.
Budnick took to Instagram to share photos of Glossip walking out of prison with his wife, Lea Glossip, revealing that Kardashian ‘GRACIOUSLY paid for’ his bail.
‘AFTER 29 YEARS INNOCENT ON OKLAHOMA’S DEATH ROW – RICHARD GLOSSIP WALKED OUT AS A FREE MAN THIS AFTERNOON!!!!’ Budnick wrote in the caption.
‘I’m just thankful for my wife and my attorneys. Just thankful. It’s overwhelming, but it’s amazing at the same time,’ Glossip said.
Glossip was released on the following conditions: he must wear an electronic monitoring device and is forbidden to travel outside Oklahoma, nor can he have contact with any witnesses in the case or consume any drugs or alcohol.
The billionaire reality star, 45, has actively campaigned for Glossip’s release for years, along with actress Susan Sarandon.
In 2023, Kardashian shared a post on X in which she stated that Glossip ‘deserves a full pardon’ and that the state should not ‘execute another man especially for a crime he didn’t commit.’
Prosecutors intend to re-try Glossip for murder but will not seek the death penalty.
Glossip, 63, walked out of Oklahoma State Penitentiary with his wife, Lea Glossip, on Thursday as he awaits a retrial for first-degree murder
‘I’m just thankful for my wife and my attorneys. Just thankful. It’s overwhelming, but it’s amazing at the same time,’ Glossip said
Glossip was found guilty in the 1997 Oklahoma City slaying of his former boss, motel owner Barry Van Treese (left)
The billionaire reality star – seen on May 3 – has actively campaigned for Glossip’s release for years
‘While it was clear to me and to the US Supreme Court that Mr Glossip did not receive a fair trial, I have never proclaimed his innocence,’ Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond said in June 2025.Â
‘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.’
Meanwhile, the SKIMS founder, who failed the California bar exam last year, reportedly won’t be trying again this year because she’s just too busy to commit to her studies.
A source told Page Six: ‘Kim has a packed schedule and has been heavily involved in filming and production for several projects so she decided it’s best to skip this round of the bar exam and focus on taking it again when she feels ready.’