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November 18, 2021
Oklahoma Gov commutes death sentence of Julius Jones, who claims innocence, to life without the possibility of parole
A high-profile Oklahoma capital case involving claims of innocence took a notable turn just hours before a scheduled execution, as reported in this local press piece:
Julius Jones was scheduled to be executed at 4 p.m. Thursday at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, however, announced at noon Thursday he has commuted Jones' sentence to life without the possibility of parole.
Jones, now 41, has been on death row for more than half of his life for the murder of Paul Howell. Jones has maintained his innocence, saying he was not responsible for the fatal shooting in Edmond in 1999. Jones' family insists he was at home.
The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board voted 3-1 on Nov. 1 to recommend Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt grant clemency to Jones and reduce his sentence to life in prison with the possibility of parole....
Amanda Bass, the attorney for Julius Jones released the following statement after Gov. Kevin Stitt commuted Jones' sentence to life without the possibility of parole: "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. 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."...
“The governor just announced he’s going to grant clemency,” Tiffany Crutcher announced to the crowd outside the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester. The crowd erupted in shouts of joy. Supporters broke into tears, including Paige Patton who began to praise, “Thank you, Lord.”
The celebration lessened as Crutcher announced that the Governor's decision was to commute Jones' sentence to life without parole. The fight to prove Jones' innocence is not over, and his supporters will not stop, she said. “Julius will get to see sunlight,” Crutcher said. “Julius will not be underground, he will get to hug his family.”
A few prior related posts:
- Might Oklahoma really try to move forward with seven executions over the next six months?
- Oklahoma board recommends clemency for Julius Jones who claims innocence from death row
November 18, 2021 at 02:08 PM | Permalink
Comments
Good news and apparently a fairly rare event in Oklahoma.
The board suggested possibility of parole. It seems dubious to override that recommendation. I don't know how strong his innocence claims really are. But, the board is there for a reason, and not sure what the governor brought to override it.
Twenty years alone is pretty long to be in prison.
Just to toss it out there, checking at the Supreme Court site, his lawyers also argued the trial/sentencing was tainted by racism. For whatever reason, the matter pended at SCOTUS for over a year before being rejected.
The issue of Native Americans also raises racism concerns, and the Supreme Court is still examining questions with relevance in the capital system in Oklahoma in that context.
Posted by: Joe | Nov 18, 2021 2:29:34 PM
"Because you are innocent, we will spare your life and merely sentence you to die in prison"
Also, can the current OK gov. really bind all future OK Govs?
Posted by: John | Nov 19, 2021 12:11:15 AM
The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board voted 3-1 on Nov. 1 to recommend Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt grant clemency to Jones and reduce his sentence to life in prison with the possibility of parole....
is there a report explaining why they voted 3-1?
Posted by: Joe | Nov 19, 2021 1:05:58 PM
