You're not just going to say 'yay!' and be done with it," she said. "It's kind of like somebody gave you a million dollars.
Oklahoma City resident Devona Willis described the announcement as "a celebration". "He is so grateful that all of these people have come together." "Julius has always been so amazed by the … many people God has brought together, Republicans and Democrats, black, white, gay, straight, native," he said. Reverend Jossell said Jones was overwhelmed by the support. Several members of the panel said they doubted the evidence that led to Jones's conviction. In separate death row case this week, the state's Pardon and Parole Board voted 3-2 to grant clemency, citing lethal injection protocols.Įarlier this month, that same board also recommended in a 3-1 vote that Mr Stitt commute Jones's sentence to life in prison with the possibility of parole. Oklahoma ended a six-year moratorium on executions - brought on by concerns over its lethal injection methods - last month. It's a day to recognise all the people who have come together to be able to fight for Julius." Reverend Keith Jossell, Jones's spiritual adviser, said the decision recognised the many people who supported his plight. More than 100 supporters gathered outside the prison housing Jones applauded and cheered when the decision about his clemency was announced.
Jones alleges he was framed by the actual killer, a high-school friend and former co-defendant who was a key witness against him.īut Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater and the state's former attorney-general, Mike Hunter, said the evidence against Jones was overwhelming. The profile of Jones's case grew significantly after it was featured in The Last Defense, a three-episode documentary produced by actress Viola Davis that aired in 2018. Jones was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death for the 1999 shooting death of Paul Howell, a businessman from the Oklahoma City suburb of Edmond, during a carjacking. "I'm so grateful to everyone who used their voice and helped to save Julius's life today," she said. She thanked Mr Stitt and the parole board for their decision.
She said she spoke on the phone with Jones between his visits with lawyers and his family.
#Justice for julius oklahoma tv
The case has attracted attention from celebrities such as reality TV star Kim Kardashian. "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," she said. "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," he said.Īmanda Bass, a lawyer representing Jones, said she hoped Mr Stitt would have granted Jones a chance at parole, but was grateful he would not be executed. Governor Kevin Stitt commuted the 41-year-old's death sentence to life imprisonment before his scheduled execution at 4pm Thursday (local time). Jones's case has drawn widespread demonstrations amid doubts about his guilt in the killing of a businessman more than 20 years ago.
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