#Julius jones execution update trial

And he still feels no shame, guilt or remorse for his action,” she said. “He is the same person today as he was 22 years ago. Howell’s sister, Megan Tobey, testified before the board that she distinctly remembers seeing Jones shoot her brother in front of his two young daughters. Doug Hoke / The Oklahoman via USA Today Network A supporter of Julius Jones prays Wednesday at the nightly prayer vigil at the Oklahoma History Center across from the Governor's Mansion in Oklahoma City. “I believe in death penalty cases there should be no doubt, and put simply, I have doubts in this case,” Chairman Adam Luck said in September following the board’s vote.

The state’s Pardon and Parole Board twice voted 3-1 to recommend Stitt grant clemency to Jones and commute his sentence to life in prison. Jones claims the murder weapon was placed there by the actual killer, who visited Jones’ house after Howell was shot. Investigators also found the murder weapon wrapped in a bandana with Jones’ DNA in an attic space above his bedroom.

#Julius jones execution update trial

Trial transcripts show witnesses identified Jones as the shooter and placed him with Howell’s stolen vehicle. State and county prosecutors have said the evidence against Jones is overwhelming. “Thousands of people across Oklahoma, the country, and the world have called on the Governor to prevent Oklahoma from executing an innocent man,” Jones’ attorney, Amanda Bass, said in a statement earlier Thursday, adding: “Our hope is that the Governor will ensure that this execution does not go forward given the many concerns about the execution process and Mr. 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.