![]() ![]() But a week later, an execution date was set by the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, prompting the clemency hearing. Monday’s hearing took place before the same parole board that recommended in September Jones’ sentence be commuted to life in prison with the possibility of parole. “I think it has meant the absolute world, that people have come together and that that numbers of supporters are fighting for Julius.” “I don’t know where we would be,” she said. But she believes the broad support today has made a difference. Before “The Last Defense,” she said there weren’t many people aware of Jones’ case. That was echoed by Cece Jones-Davis, the director of the Justice for Julius campaign, which aims to raise awareness of Jones’ case and lobby for clemency. “I appreciate that we have the help now,” she said, “because we didn’t have that 22 years ago.” It means that we can kind of breathe a little bit easier, knowing that other people are willing to fight alongside us. “It means the world to me,” Jones’ younger sister, Antoinette Jones, told CNN in an interview. The support goes beyond his family and celebrities: More than 6.4 million people have signed a petition asking Stitt, a Republican, to prevent his execution. Jones’ case has attracted widespread attention in recent years, in part due to the ABC documentary series “The Last Defense,” which spotlighted his case in 2018. In a previous statement to CNN, daughter Rachel Howell called the narrative about Jones’ case “completely false” and evidence shows he is guilty.ĬNN has reached out to Howell for reaction to the board’s recommendation. Stitt will exercise his authority to accept the Board’s recommendation and ensure that Oklahoma does not execute an innocent man,” said Amanda Bass, lead counsel for Jones.īut Howell’s family and the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office have rejected Jones’ innocence claims and believe he’s guilty. “The Pardon and Parole Board has now twice voted in favor of commuting Julius Jones’s death sentence, acknowledging the grievous errors that led to his conviction and death sentence. The same parole board recommended commuting Jones’ sentence in September. (It) gives you appreciation for the blessings in your life but also the work that needs to be done.”įor nearly two decades, Jones has been on death row for a crime he did not commit, his clemency petition says, because of “fundamental breakdowns in the system tasked with deciding” his guilt, including ineffective and inexperienced defense attorneys, racial bias among his jury and alleged prosecutorial misconduct. “Coming out of a basketball game,” Curry said Tuesday night after a 106-98 win, “you’re celebrating a win in the locker room and then you’re like, ‘What’s it like in his shoes right now?’ It kind of checks you a little bit. His office said he is aware of the board’s action and there will be no further comment until his decision. Kevin Stitt gets the final say on Jones’ fate. Stitt to do the same by accepting their recommendation.” Jimmy Lawson comforts Madeline Davis-Jones, the mother of Julius Jones, after the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board voted to recommend clemency for Jones and that his sentence be commuted to life in prison with the possibility of parole. (Chris Landsberger/The Oklahoman via Associated Press) “I am grateful to the Pardon and Parole Board for again showing they are willing to listen to facts and reason, show compassion, and do what is in their power to right this terrible wrong. “My son Julius has been on death row for over 20 years for a murder he did not commit, and every day of that has been a waking nightmare for my family,” said Madeline Davis-Jones, in a statement through their attorney. The board voted 3-1 on Monday to recommend commuting Jones’ sentence to life in prison with the possibility of parole, according to the release from the inmate’s attorneys. Jones pleaded his case to the board less than three weeks before he’s set to be executed. The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board recommended granting clemency to Julius Jones, a man sentenced to death for a murder he says he did not commit. By Dakin Andone, Amir Vera, Amy Simonson and Claudia Dominguez | CNN ![]()
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