Oklahoma governor commutes sentence of Julius Jones 

by mcardinal

Willie R. Tubbs, FISM News

 

On Thursday, with only hours to spare, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt elected to spare the life of a man sentenced to die for a murder that he, along with a collection of celebrities, sports stars, politicians, and everyday people, say he did not commit. 

Shortly after noon, Stitt commuted the death sentence of Julius Jones, who was convicted of the 1999 murder of Paul Howell during a carjacking. Jones was scheduled to be executed at 4 p.m. Thursday.

“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,” the Republican governor said in a release

The news was celebrated by Jones’ mother and a collection of well-wishers gathered in Oklahoma. 

“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, an attorney representing Jones said in a statement, which was tweeted by Dillon Richards, a court reporter for Oklahoma City’s ABC affiliate.

For the victim’s family, Thursday’s announcement was difficult. 

In a statement released to the Associated Press, Howell’s family said, “We know Governor Stitt had a difficult decision to make. 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.”

Howell’s sister, Megan Tobey, witnessed the murder and testified that Jones was the man who killed her brother. The murder weapon was also found wrapped in a bandana in an attic above Jones’ bedroom. 

Jones has long maintained his innocence and says he was framed by a key witness for the prosecution. 

In 2018, Jones was a subject in the documentary titled “The Last Defense.” The film, produced by Viola Davis, sparked a movement in support of Jones. 

Influencer Kim Kardashian West, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, among many others, spoke in defense of Jones. 

Prescott went so far as to write letters to Stitt on behalf of Jones. 

“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 told ESPN. “For me, it’s about continuing to do whatever I can to help.”

Irv Roland, an assistant coach for the Utah Jazz, told the Salt Lake Tribune he had mixed emotions. 

The Tribune quoted Roland having said, “I’m happy that my friend isn’t getting executed at 4 p.m. [CT] today, but I’m also frustrated. If you believe he committed the crime, and y’all believe in the death penalty, then you should have moved forward with it. But if you believe that he didn’t [do it], then he should be free. There shouldn’t be any middle ground.”

Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor, Oklahoma County David Prater, and former state Attorney General Mike Hunter all affirmed their belief in Jones’ guilt. 

“I know Governor Stitt is making what he believes is the right decision,” O’Connor said in a statement. “I appreciate the Governor’s condition that Mr. Jones never be released from prison. However, we are greatly disappointed that after 22 years, four appeals, including the review of 13 appellate Judges, the work of the investigators, prosecutors, jurors, and the trial Judge have been set aside. A thorough review of the evidence confirms Julius Jones’ guilt in this case and that the death penalty was warranted.”

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