Actress Susan Sarandon calls for Death Row inmate’s execution to be stopped

One of Hollywood’s best known actresses has appealed for public help in stopping the execution of a man she says is “clearly innocent”. Susan Sarandon said next month’s scheduled execution in Oklahoma shows everything that is wrong with the death penalty in America. She also described the governor of Oklahoma as a “horrible person” for refusing to intervene. Sarandon won an Oscar for her portrayal of anti-capital punishment campaigner Sister Helen Prejean in the 1995 film Dead Man Walking.

Richard’s case is so typical. Bad representation; two trials that were ridiculous, no physical evidence.

Susan Sarandon, speaking to Sky News

Richard Glossip is scheduled to die by lethal injection on 16 September, but has always maintained he is innocent. He was convicted of murder after the man who confessed to the killing claimed that Glossip had hired him to do it. In return for his testimony, Justin Sneed was given a prison sentence, whereas Glossip was sentenced to death. The actress is urging people to write to Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin - asking her to intervene and grant a stay of execution. So far she has refused to do so.

The governor of Oklahoma is just a horrible person, and a woman, so it’s even more discouraging.

Susan Sarandon

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