Richard Glossip released after decades on death row

For the first time since the Clinton administration, Richard Glossip is no longer behind bars.

(CNN)- For the first time since the Clinton administration, Richard Glossip is no longer behind bars.

“I’m just thankful for my wife and my attorneys and just happy, just really happy,” Glossip said after being released on bond Thursday.

The 63-year-old was convicted in 1998 for his role in the killing of Oklahoma City motel owner Barry Van Treese.

Another employee, Justin Sneed, admitted to carrying out the killing and avoided the death penalty after testifying that Glossip offered to pay him to murder Van Treese.

In the years since the trial, Sneed reportedly expressed regret over his testimony and wrote letters asking if he could recant his statements.

“What’s happened to Richard Glossip is not right,” Oklahoma State Representative Kevin McDugle said.

Glossip survived nine scheduled execution dates during his years on death row and says he even ate three last meals while awaiting execution.

His release comes after Oklahoma’s attorney general wrote in a letter that he could no longer support Glossip’s conviction or death sentence.

“I have concluded that I cannot stand behind the murder conviction and death sentence of Richard Glossip,” the attorney general wrote.

“It’s overwhelming but it’s amazing at the same time,” Glossip said after walking free.

A preliminary hearing connected to Glossip’s new trial is scheduled for June 23.