![]() ![]() Oklahoma’s Pardon and Parole Board twice voted 3-1 in favor of granting Jones clemency and commuting his sentence to life in prison. It also covered the case of Darlie Routier, a Texas mother convicted and sentenced to death for the 1996 murders of her two children. The case drew renewed interest in 2018 with the release of the Viola Davis-produced documentary “The Last Defense.” The seven-part series explored the racial injustices baked into the American justice system and capital punishment process through the lens of Jones’ story. Jones has maintained his innocence for 20 years. Jones, 41, was sentenced for the 1999 murder of Oklahoma City businessman Paul Howard. The news comes after a last-minute court appeal on the grounds that the state’s execution process amounts to “cruel and unusual punishment.” Kevin Stitt commuted Jones’ sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole. At 4 p.m., Jones is scheduled to be executed by the state of Oklahoma.The death sentence of Julius Jones, whose case was documented in 2018 “The Last Defense,” was commuted on Thursday mere hours before his execution was scheduled to take place. Julius Jones," Lambrinidis wrote in a letter obtained by NPR.ĭespite calls for Jones' release at every level of society, Stitt has declined to intervene and stop his execution. "We respectfully urge you to exercise all powers vested in your office to grant clemency to Mr. European Union Representative Stavros Lambrinidis has also chimed in. The fight for Jones' freedom has not stopped there. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, there are many like me, including Kim Kardashian, who seek complete and total clemency," Bishop T.D. If our courts are to be called a justice system, then justice must be done. "Julius Jones awaits a decision that either saves his life or condemns it. Actress Viola Davis has also produced a documentary about Jones' quest for clemency. Cole" Cole, Kim Kardashian, Kerry Washington and Joy Ann Reid are just a few of the many celebrities to encourage others to learn about Jones' fight for freedom. The work of Bass and Jones' family has raised awareness about this case. ![]() We hope that Governor Stitt will exercise his authority to accept the Board's recommendation and ensure that Oklahoma does not execute an innocent man," Jones' attorney, Amanda Bass, told CNN. "The Pardon and Parole Board has now twice voted in favor of commuting Julius Jones's death sentence, acknowledging the grievous errors that led to his conviction and death sentence. At the state level, the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board has voted to grant Jones clemency twice, but Stitt has opted not to release Jones. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has had the opportunity to do something about it. "The governor should do something about it…make sure he actually thinks about it," a student at Classen SAS High School in Oklahoma City told the local news outlet. KOCO has reported that hundreds of high school students in the greater Oklahoma City area have staged walk outs in support of Jones' release. With the amount of doubt raised in this case, support for Jones' release has grown over the last few years.Īt the local level, support for Jones' release has manifested in the form of a peaceful protest. Not to mention, there are a number of incarcerated individuals who say that Jones' co-defendant, Charles Jordan, has admitted to killing Howell and framing the 41-year-old man. A recent report from NPR indicates that Jones had an alibi for the night of the murder, did not match the description provided by an eyewitness and allegedly faced racial abuse at the hands of the jury. A number of activists, public figures and lawmakers have raised a number of questions as to whether he committed the crime. More than 20 years later, Julius Jones is set to be executed for the crime, but there's one major issue. Just before the turn of the century, Oklahoma businessman Paul Howell was brutally killed. ![]()
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