Glossip, 63, entered the plea before an Oklahoma County judge as part of an agreement with state prosecutors. The deal allows him to avoid a retrial on the murder charge that had twice resulted in convictions and death sentences, both of which were later overturned.

The plea marks a stark reversal for Glossip, who had consistently maintained his innocence throughout years of appeals, including a high-profile 2023 case before the U.S. Supreme Court. He had been scheduled for retrial in December on charges of orchestrating the 1997 murder-for-hire killing of his former boss, Barry Van Treese, at a Best Western motel in Oklahoma City.

By pleading guilty to the lesser accessory charge, Glossip admits to helping cover up the crime after it occurred, but does not admit to ordering the killing. The agreement with prosecutors likely carries a sentence of time served or a reduced term, though details of the sentencing were not immediately confirmed.

The case had become a focal point for death penalty opponents, who pointed to concerns about the reliability of the evidence and the conduct of prosecutors. Glossip's conviction relied heavily on the testimony of Justin Sneed, the man who actually carried out the murder and who received a life sentence without parole in exchange for his cooperation. Sneed's credibility had been questioned after it was revealed that he suffered from a psychiatric condition and may have been improperly medicated during his testimony.

In 2023, the Supreme Court stayed Glossip's execution and agreed to hear his appeal, but ultimately ruled against him in a 6-3 decision, clearing the way for a new trial. However, the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals later set the retrial for December 2026, giving Glossip's legal team time to prepare.

Thursday's plea brings an end to a case that has cost the state millions of dollars and drawn scrutiny to the criminal justice system. For Van Treese's family, the resolution may offer some closure after nearly three decades of legal proceedings.

Glossip's attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for the Oklahoma County District Attorney's Office confirmed the plea agreement but declined further comment.

The plea is expected to be formally accepted by the judge at a later hearing, at which point Glossip's sentence will be finalized. He could be released soon if credited with time served, having already spent more than 25 years behind bars.