OKLAHOMA GOVERNOR JULIUS JONES UPGRADE
OKLAHOMA GOVERNOR JULIUS JONES TRIAL

Jones claimed in his commutation filing that the gun and bandanna were planted there by the person he identifies as the actual killer, who had been inside Jones' house after the killing. Investigators also found the murder weapon wrapped in a bandanna with Jones' DNA in an attic space above his bedroom.

OKLAHOMA GOVERNOR JULIUS JONES TRIAL

Information from trial transcripts shows that witnesses identified Jones as the shooter and placed him with Howell's stolen vehicle. But Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater and the state's former attorney general, Mike Hunter, have said the evidence against Jones is overwhelming. 1 that Stitt commute Jones' sentence to life in prison, with several members of the panel agreeing they had doubts about the evidence that led to Jones' conviction. The Pardon and Parole Board recommended in a 3-1 vote Nov. This cannot happen in a civilized nation, and we have to keep this from happening. Please join in the fight to save an innocent man's life. Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr tweeted out a video Wednesday in which he said: 'I wanted to put this video out, please share it. We take comfort that his decision affirmed the guilt of Julius Jones and that he shall not be eligible to apply for, or be considered for, a commutation, pardon or parole for the remainder of his life.'Īfter thanking supporters and law enforcement, it concluded: 'Julius Jones forever changed our lives and the lives of his family and friends.' Howell's family issued a statement after the ruling: 'We know Gov. '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,' Bass said in a statement. Jones has proclaimed his innocence from death row for more than two decades, saying he was framed by the actual killer, a high school friend and former co-defendant who was a key witness against him.Īmanda Bass, a lawyer representing Jones, said that the team had hoped Stitt would grant Jones a chance at parole but that the team was grateful that he wouldn't be executed. Jones, 41, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to die for the 1999 shooting death of Edmond, Oklahoma, businessman Paul Howell during a carjacking. He said he wanted to have the chance to 'help somebody else save their life.' Prescott said he learned about the case shortly after the death of his brother by suicide in April 2020. 'For me, it's about continuing to do whatever I can to help.' 'I know there's a lot of people that are supporting Julius and supporting the governor's decision in which he made, and we're all very, very thankful for not taking an innocent man's life,' Prescott said. Mayfield reacted to the news of Jones' commutation in a tweet Thursday.ĭallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, who wrote letters to Stitt and the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board in the summer of 2020, said he was 'thankful' for Thursday's ruling. Hopefully God can intervene and handle it correctly and do the things he needs to do.' It is a shame that it has gotten this far. Since then, a number of sports figures with Oklahoma ties, including Westbrook, Griffin and Young, have urged Stitt to commute Jones' death sentence and spare his life.įormer Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield spoke out in support of Jones on Wednesday, saying: 'I have been trying to get the facts stated and the truth to be told for a while, but it is tough to think about.

Jones' case drew widespread attention after it was profiled in 'The Last Defense,' a three-episode documentary produced by actress Viola Davis that aired on ABC in 2018.

Stitt commuted Jones' sentence on Thursday - the date of his scheduled execution - to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Kevin Stitt has commuted the death sentence of condemned inmate Julius Jones, whose case drew the attention of numerous sports figures, such as NBA stars Russell Westbrook, Blake Griffin and Trae Young.

OKLAHOMA GOVERNOR JULIUS JONES UPGRADE

You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browserĭeath sentence for Julius Jones reduced to life in prison by Oklahoma governor

Oklahoma governor julius jones