Jordan testified against Jones, who was convicted and sentenced to death. But evidence suggests it may have been planted by a co-defendant, Christopher Jordan, sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit a robbery. Jones, 19, was arrested after authorities found the murder weapon wrapped in a bandana at his family’s home. Jones says he’s innocent, as do his family, attorneys and supporters. Jones has been on death row for nearly 20 years in connection with the 1999 murder of Paul Howell. “If my child is executed tomorrow or any day, it should be without a doubt. Do it over again, do it right,” Cece Davis-Jones said as the crowd erupted in applause. “If you think Julius is guilty, give him a fair trial. Other than what some say was 10,000 people contacting Governor Stitt, according to the Justice for Julius website, there is also a petition with more than six million petitioners, including many celebrities from Kim Kardashian to actors Mandy Patinkin and Kerry Washington to Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield.Īt a news conference Wednesday evening, Jones’ mother described her son’s scheduled execution as a lynching. “Killing a man whom many believe to be innocent and who, not once but twice, has been recommended for clemency by Oklahoma’s Pardon and Parole Board is evil,” she added. In light of these events, Sister Helen Prejean of the Ministry Against the Death Penalty has decided to make a statement on the matter, noting, “This is not God’s will. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Thursday late afternoon (CT) here marks the execution time for Julius, and it looks as though Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt may allow it to happen, despite the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board voting 3-1 earlier this month to commute Jones’ sentence to life in prison with the possibility of parole. “While we had hoped the Governor would adopt the Board’s recommendation in full by commuting Julius’s sentence to life with the possibility of parole in light of the overwhelming evidence of Julius’s innocence, we are grateful that the Governor has prevented an irreparable mistake.”Ĭelebrities, Others Protest Julius Jones Execution, Set for Thursday – Governor Contemplates “Governor Stitt took an important step today towards restoring public faith in the criminal justice system by ensuring that Oklahoma does not execute an innocent man,” Amanda Bass, attorney for Julius Jones said on Thursday. Pursuant to that provision, “the Governor has ordered that Jones shall not be eligible to apply for or be considered for a commutation, pardon, or parole for the remainder of his life.” Jones was scheduled to be executed on Thursday afternoon.Īccording to the Governor, “Article 6, Section 10 of the Oklahoma Constitution gives the Governor power to grant commutations “upon such conditions and with such restricts and limitations as the Governor may deem proper.” “After prayerful consideration and reviewing materials presented by all sides of this case, I have determined to commute Julius Jones’ sentence to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole,” Stitt said. Kevin Stitt commuted the sentence of Julius Jones to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Thursday. Oklahoma City – At the last possible moment, Oklahoma Gov.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |