Still for Jones’ supporter’s clemency doesn’t feel too satisfying for a man they believe should be free and enjoying his family. An Oklahoma governor has only granted clemency four times in the state’s history and has denied clemency more than nine times. In 2014, Christopher Jordan, the person driving the getaway car in Howell’s murder, admitted to shooting Howell and framing Jones, leaving many to believe Howell’s murder will never be solved.īut clemency in Oklahoma is rare and almost never granted. One of the jurors even alleges another juror called Jones the N-word and called for him to be lynched outside the courthouse. In 2002 a jury 12-person jury with only one black person found him guilty and sentenced him to death. Jones, who has spent the last 20 years on death row, was convicted and sentenced to the death penalty for the fatal shooting of Paul Howell, who was killed during a carjacking in 1999. The decision means Jones will not be executed but will have to spend the rest of his life in prison for a crime he still insists he did not commit. But the Pardon and Parole Board recommended the possibility of parole in a 3-1 vote. Stitt also ordered that Jones never be eligible to apply for or be considered for a commutation, pardon, or parole for the rest of his life. Before Stitt, the state carried out more than 100 executions under the previous three governors' combined 24 years in office.Jones’s sentence was reduced from the death penalty to life in prison. Oklahoma has one of the nation's busiest death chambers. Frank Keating granted clemency just once.ĭating back to when Keating was in office, Oklahoma governors have denied clemency at least nine times. Brad Henry granted clemency to three death row inmates. It is rare for an Oklahoma governor to grant clemency, having only been approved four times in the state's history. Former Gov. "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," they said in a statement.īoard recommendation: Oklahoma parole board recommends clemency for Julius Jones, faces execution Nov. ![]() The Howell family said they knew Stitt had a difficult decision. Stitt previously told reporters he would meet with members of the Howell family and prosecutors and defense attorneys on the case before making a decision. The third, Scott Williams, recused himself from the vote. Two of the three parole board members Stitt has appointed recommended the governor grant Jones clemency. He also could have issued an execution stay that would have given him more time to consider the recommendation. Stitt had the option to adopt, modify or reject the parole board's recommendation. In a 3-1 vote, the board recommended Jones' sentence be reduced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. The Pardon and Parole Board this month recommended Jones' life be spared. Support for Jones: Kim Kardashian speaks out ahead of planned execution of Julius Jones in Oklahoma ![]() Watch Video: Julius Jones' family makes plea to Stitt on eve of execution date “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," attorney Amanda Bass said in a statement. Jones' attorney praised the governor for blocking the execution, but said she had hoped Stitt would have granted her client the option of parole. ![]() Jurors chose the death penalty as punishment at a 2002 trial, and Jones has spent nearly 20 years on death row. The clemency marks a partial win for a diverse group of Jones activists and supporters who have proclaimed the inmate was wrongfully convicted in the 1999 fatal shooting of insurance executive Paul Howell during a carjacking . The governor's decision means Jones' execution, set for Thursday afternoon, is canceled. Under that scenario, Jones would have immediately been eligible for parole on his murder conviction. Stitt's decision veers slightly from the Pardon and Parole Board's recommendation to reduce Jones' sentence to life in prison with the possibility of parole. “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 in a statement.Īs a condition of granting clemency, Stitt ordered that Jones shall never be eligible to apply for or be considered for a commutation, pardon or parole for the rest of his life. Kevin Stitt has spared the life of high-profile death row inmate Julius Jones.įollowing a recommendation from the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board, Stitt on Thursday granted clemency to Jones, reducing the inmate's sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Watch Video: Julius Jones: Execution canceled after governor grants clemency
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