Content Advisory: This article discusses murder, death row, execution dates, and legal proceedings. Reader discretion is advised.
Kim Kardashian may be struggling with the bar exam, but her criminal justice work is still making headlines.
The reality star and SKIMS founder reportedly posted $500,000 bail for Richard Glossip, a former Oklahoma death row inmate who has spent nearly three decades behind bars. Glossip walked out of prison this week for the first time in 29 years.
Film producer and criminal justice advocate Scott Budnick shared photos of Glossip leaving prison and said Kardashian had “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.
Kim Kardashian Pays Bail For Richard Glossip
Glossip was convicted in connection with the 1997 killing of Barry Van Treese, an Oklahoma City motel owner and Glossip’s former boss.
Prosecutors said Van Treese was beaten to death with a baseball bat and accused Glossip of hiring another man to carry out the killing.
Glossip spent 29 years on death row. During that time, he reportedly had nine execution dates set and was served his last meal three times.
His case became one of the most widely discussed death penalty cases in the country, drawing support from activists, legal advocates, and celebrities.
Kardashian has been involved in criminal justice advocacy for years, and this latest move shows she is still using her money and platform in that space.
Supreme Court Tossed Glossip’s Conviction
Last year, the Supreme Court threw out Glossip’s conviction after finding problems with the original case.
The issue centered on prosecutors allowing a key witness to give testimony they allegedly knew was false, violating Glossip’s right to a fair trial.
Oklahoma prosecutors are now planning to retry Glossip for murder. This time, they will not seek the death penalty.
That means Glossip’s legal battle is far from over, even though he is no longer on death row and has now been released on bail.
Kardashian’s Legal Work Gets Fresh Attention
Kardashian is not the only celebrity who has backed Glossip. Susan Sarandon has also publicly advocated for his innocence.
Still, Kardashian’s decision to pay the bail is getting major attention because of her own legal ambitions. She recently made headlines for reportedly pausing her California bar exam plans after failing her July 2025 attempt.
Critics love to point out that she has not become a lawyer yet. But this case gives her supporters an obvious counterpoint: she does not need a law license to help someone walk out of prison.
Glossip still faces a retrial. Kardashian’s money did not end the case. It did, however, help get him out of prison after nearly 30 years.
