When the state has spent decades trying to end your life, it usually takes a miracle to walk out the front gate, but for one man in Oklahoma, that miracle just arrived in the form of a six-figure check from the world's most famous influencer.
WHAT HAPPENED
A man who spent half his life in a cold cell on death row is officially home today. He was convicted in the 1990s for a brutal motel murder that prosecutors claimed he planned and funded, leading to a life of solitary confinement and three separate "last meals" as he waited for the end.
The breakthrough came this week when a judge set a staggering $500,000 bond, a move that would normally be out of reach for a man with no savings. However, film producer Scott Budnick revealed on social media that a billionaire star—widely known for her prison reform work, "graciously paid" the full amount to secure his release ahead of a new trial.
The release follows years of high-octane legal battles after the Supreme Court threw out the man's original conviction. It was discovered that prosecutors had allowed a key witness to give false testimony, a depraved act that torched the original guilty verdict. While the state still plans to hold a new trial, they have officially taken the death penalty off the table for the first time in 29 years.
What the money/evidence shows
$500,000: The total bond amount set by the judge to allow for the inmate's release.
- $50,000: The actual cash fee reportedly handed over to spring him from the county jail.
- 29 years: The total time the man spent in prison, most of it under a death sentence.
- 9: The number of times the state of Oklahoma scheduled his execution before now.
- 3: The number of times he was served his final meal before a last-minute stay was granted.
THE BIGGER QUESTION
Does a person's life depend on whether they can find a celebrity with a deep enough pocket? This case is a gut-punch reminder of the flaws in our justice system, where a man can be on the brink of death for decades before a billionaire's intervention fixes a "leaked" prosecutorial error. We have to ask if the average person without a famous advocate would still be sitting in that cell today.
THE OTHER SIDE
Prosecutors and the victim's family remain convinced that the man is the calculated mastermind behind the original crime. They argue that while the first trial had errors, the gritty details of the case still point to his guilt and that releasing him is a risk to the community. They claim that the star-studded attention surrounding the case has created a red-hot atmosphere that makes it harder for the victim's family to find peace. However, legal experts argue that the state's case is now on life support because their main witness has been caught in a web of underhanded lies that the Supreme Court could not ignore.
WHAT HAPPENS NOW
The man is currently reuniting with his wife and family but must wear a GPS monitor as he waits for a fresh day in court. He is restricted from leaving the state and must check in regularly with officials. For the famous donor, this is another win in her campaign to fix a system she calls "un-American," proving that her financial muscle is just as strong as her legal studies.
WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW
- Will the state move forward with a third trial given how much evidence has been tossed out?
- How will the heavy media and celebrity focus impact the selection of a fair jury?
- Are there any other "hidden" witnesses who will come forward now that the case is back in the spotlight?
SOURCE NOTE
Information from Oklahoma court records, Scott Budnick’s official statements, and Supreme Court filings. All charges are allegations, the individual is presumed innocent as he awaits his new trial.