Oklahoma's Judge Stallings is facing a credibility crisis in her presiding over Richard Glossip's third trial. On September 4, 2025, during a closed-door proceeding, Stallings revealed that she had taken a trip with Fern Smith, the former Oklahoma City prosecutor who sent Glossip to death row. The trip took place in 1997, the same year Glossip was charged with masterminding the brutal killing of his boss at an Oklahoma City motel.
Glossip's defense attorneys argued that Stallings' connection to Smith raises concerns about her impartiality in presiding over the high-profile trial. They pointed out that Stallings and Smith had taken a trip together, which is a potential conflict of interest. During this hearing, Stallings claimed that she went on vacation with Smith and other colleagues from the DA's office, saying "we got a really good deal on the airfare."
However, in another case involving Tremane Wood, who was also sentenced to death in Oklahoma City in 2004, Stallings presided over an evidentiary hearing where she ruled against him. Glossip's lawyers argued that this ruling raises questions about Stallings' credibility and impartiality.
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond recently announced he would retry Glossip for first-degree murder, despite a lack of reliable evidence to prove the state's case. This decision has sparked controversy, with many arguing that Glossip cannot receive a fair trial in a courtroom where the presiding judge once worked for the same office behind his discredited conviction.
Glossip's defense attorneys claim that Stallings' broader relationship with Prater, another former DA who defended Glossip's conviction at all costs, is cause for concern. They argue that Stallings cannot be impartial in determining Prater's credibility if and when he is called to answer for his conduct in the case.
The issue of recusal has become a contentious one in Oklahoma City, where concerns over appearances have not traditionally proven to be much of a deterrent. The attorney general's decision to retry Glossip has sparked fears that the game is already rigged, with defense lawyers arguing that Stallings' continued presiding undermines this commitment.
Ultimately, whether or not Stallings was persuaded to rule against Wood because she was secretly biased in Fern Smith's favor remains unclear. However, her relationship with Smith and Prater raises serious questions about her impartiality in Glossip's case.
Glossip's defense attorneys argued that Stallings' connection to Smith raises concerns about her impartiality in presiding over the high-profile trial. They pointed out that Stallings and Smith had taken a trip together, which is a potential conflict of interest. During this hearing, Stallings claimed that she went on vacation with Smith and other colleagues from the DA's office, saying "we got a really good deal on the airfare."
However, in another case involving Tremane Wood, who was also sentenced to death in Oklahoma City in 2004, Stallings presided over an evidentiary hearing where she ruled against him. Glossip's lawyers argued that this ruling raises questions about Stallings' credibility and impartiality.
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond recently announced he would retry Glossip for first-degree murder, despite a lack of reliable evidence to prove the state's case. This decision has sparked controversy, with many arguing that Glossip cannot receive a fair trial in a courtroom where the presiding judge once worked for the same office behind his discredited conviction.
Glossip's defense attorneys claim that Stallings' broader relationship with Prater, another former DA who defended Glossip's conviction at all costs, is cause for concern. They argue that Stallings cannot be impartial in determining Prater's credibility if and when he is called to answer for his conduct in the case.
The issue of recusal has become a contentious one in Oklahoma City, where concerns over appearances have not traditionally proven to be much of a deterrent. The attorney general's decision to retry Glossip has sparked fears that the game is already rigged, with defense lawyers arguing that Stallings' continued presiding undermines this commitment.
Ultimately, whether or not Stallings was persuaded to rule against Wood because she was secretly biased in Fern Smith's favor remains unclear. However, her relationship with Smith and Prater raises serious questions about her impartiality in Glossip's case.
I'm really worried about the credibility of Judge Stallings right now 
. This trip with Fern Smith in 1997 is a huge red flag 
. It looks like they were pretty chummy back then 
, and it's hard to see how that wouldn't impact her impartiality in Glossip's case. And let's not forget about the fact she ruled against Tremane Wood in another case... that's just weird 
. I'm also really frustrated with Attorney General Drummond for retrying Glossip without solid evidence 
. It feels like he's more interested in keeping his reputation intact than doing what's right by the justice system 
. We need to make sure our judges are fair and unbiased, not compromised by personal relationships or politics 
. This whole situation is a real mess, and I just hope Glossip gets a fair shot at trial 
. This raises so many questions about her impartiality, especially since Glossip's defense team is arguing that she can't be fair and square given their connection.
And let's not forget that she worked for the same DA office as Prater, who defended Glossip's conviction... it's like, how can she be impartial when she has a history with them?
I don't know what to make of this situation... maybe more info will come out to clarify things? 
We just don't know for sure yet...
. Let's not make Stallings the villain here, folks... 
especially when she says they went on vacation together... like, what even is that? and now there's this other guy Tremane Wood who got screwed over by her in another case too... it just looks so sketchy. I don't know about you guys but if i were on trial and my judge was besties with the DA, id be like "game over" lol. at least they're trying to retry Glossip though, fingers crossed he gets a fair shot at an acquittal 
it feels like the system is rigged against ppl who can't afford good lawyers.
I mean, come on folks! If you're gonna retry someone, at least do it right. Don't try to spin a narrative that makes everyone look bad.
Stallings' credibility crisis is all about control and drama. Let's not get caught up in it 
. FIRST, WE'VE GOT HER FRIEND FERN SMITH, WHO SENT GLOSSIP TO DEATH ROW BACK IN 1997... TALK ABOUT A CONFLICT OF INTEREST! 
AND NOW WE'RE HEARING THAT SHE RULED AGAINST TREMANE WOOD IN A DIFFERENT CASE, WHICH COULD BE SEEING AS BIASED 
... I mean, a judge taking a trip with a prosecutor who sent someone to death row? That's just wrong. And then she claims it was just a vacation with colleagues? Come on, that's like saying "we got a good deal on the airfare" is gonna make everything okay 
. I don't know about you folks but if I were in Glossip's shoes, I'd be worried sick about a judge with ties to both his prosecution and defense team. It's like playing a game of musical chairs where everyone's got an axe to grind 
.
. Like, how is that even possible?! And now her defense attorneys are saying that's a total conflict of interest 
. And the fact that Oklahoma's AG decided to retry Glossip despite not having enough evidence... ugh, what even is that?! 
. But for now, I'm just gonna say... Yikes, this judge situation is getting messy! 
.
. And now that her past is out, I think it's hard to ignore the fact that she and Smith were friends 
. Oklahoma Attorney General Drummond's decision to retry Glossip despite a lack of evidence is already raising red flags 
at least Drummond said he'd retry but I guess that's not enough for some people. This recusal thingy is really making me question everything, like how can you be impartial when you've got connections with folks who wanna see Glossip dead. And what if it was a payback trip to Smith? 
need some more info before I make any conclusions 
It's just not right, justice should be blind, not buddies with the people who put guys on death row. 
. The fact is, Glossip's lawyers are just trying to stir up drama and create a sense of crisis where none exists. And let's be real, the whole recusal thing is just a bunch of noise 
!