Judge Denies Request to Delay Glossip Murder Trial
A judge ordered that the scheduled murder trial of Richard Glossip proceed in December without further delay.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Criminal Justice
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Judge Natalie Mai has denied a request to postpone the third murder trial of Richard Glossip, who is charged in the 1997 killing of Barry Van Treese. The court mandated that defense attorneys must submit evidence for DNA testing immediately ahead of the trial.
Why it matters
The defense sought to push the trial date to April 2027 to allow for further DNA analysis of evidence. Prosecutors successfully argued that existing alternatives allowed for testing without requiring a delay to the court proceedings.
Judge Natalie Mai mandated that evidence be sent to a laboratory immediately following the denial of a motion to postpone the trial. Richard Glossip, who served nearly 30 years on death row, was released on bond in May 2026.
The players
Richard Glossip
He is the defendant in a long-running murder case who spent nearly three decades on death row before his conviction was overturned.
Natalie Mai
She is the judge presiding over the Oklahoma County court proceedings for the third murder trial of Richard Glossip.
Justin Sneed
He is the co-defendant in the case who is currently serving a life sentence for his involvement in the 1997 killing.
Barry Van Treese
He is the victim whose 1997 murder led to the criminal charges against Richard Glossip and Justin Sneed.
The details
Richard Glossip previously had his conviction overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2025. Co-defendant Justin Sneed is serving a life sentence for his role in the 1997 murder.
Timeline
Barry Van Treese was murdered in 1997.
The U.S. Supreme Court overturned Richard Glossip's conviction in 2025.
Richard Glossip was released on bond in May 2026.
Judge Natalie Mai denied the request to delay the trial on October 26, 2026.
The murder trial is scheduled to begin on December 7, 2026.
Legal Context
This trial follows the landmark 2025 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned the original conviction of the defendant. It marks a critical juncture in the Oklahoma justice system as it navigates a high-profile retrial following nearly three decades of incarceration.
The upcoming trial in Oklahoma County draws significant attention to the local judicial process and the handling of cold case evidence. Residents may experience increased court activity and media presence in the downtown area as the trial date approaches.
The takeaway
The court's decision ensures that the trial moves forward on its scheduled date in December. Parties involved must now focus on the immediate laboratory analysis of evidence to prepare for the upcoming proceedings.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings in the region, visit the Criminal Justice section.
Live Poll
Should courts delay trials when the defense requests more time for new DNA testing?
