Kim Kardashian and other celebrities have been lobbying Stitt to follow Parole Board's recommendation and grant Jones clemency.Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield joined Jones's family in calling for Stitt to spare the man's life.The state’s Pardon and Parole Board recommended in a 3-1 vote on November 1 that Stitt commute Jones’ sentence to life in prison.Jones was scheduled to die of lethal injection in the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester.
Howell family released statement saying that Stitt's decision to keep Jones behind bars for life 'affirms his guilt'.Stitt called the Howell family at around noon on Thursday to inform them of his decision and spare them the three-hour journey to McAlester, Oklahoma.Jones was convicted of killing Paul Howell of Edmond, Oklahoma, in 1999 but has maintained his innocence for 20 years.Jones will serve life in prison without the possibility of parole, per the commutation order issued by Stitt on Thursday.
Celebrities pleaded his case on Twitter and other social media. Prayer vigils were held at the state Capitol, and barricades were erected outside the governor’s mansion. On Wednesday, students at high schools across Oklahoma City walked out of their classes in support of Jones' appeal. Per protocol, Jones had already been moved into solitary confinement in preparation for his lethal injection, and on Wednesday he was fed what was to be his last meal. Members of the press had begun gathering inside the prison to prepare for the execution, just hours away. In Oklahoma City, protesters gathered outside the governor’s office at the state capital also celebrated the decision. Moments after the announcement, over a hundred supporters who had gathered outside the Oklahoma State Penitentiary that morning rejoiced, and clergymen led the group in prayer and song. Oklahoma Department of Corrections via AP The motion argued Grant’s execution provides “compelling evidence” that the execution process in Oklahoma and the use of midazolam, a controversial drug, “pose a serious and substantial risk of suffering and pain to prisoners.” Julius Jones. 28 execution of inmate John Grant, who vomited and convulsed repeatedly before being declared dead. Thank you to the world.”Īttorneys for Jones filed a motion Thursday seeking an injunction to halt his execution based on “important new evidence” from the Oct. “I want to thank everyone for continuing to tell Julius’ story. “I want to say thank you to our honorable governor, thank you, thank you God, thank you Jesus,” Jones' sister, Antoinette Jones, said moments after the announcement from the governor’s office. “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.
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