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TSR Updatez: Julius Jones and his family’s supporters are celebrating today after the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Committee recommended that Julius be granted clemency. Julius said that a few weeks after being executed for murder, he said He did not commit.
In late September, TSR Investigates brings you the story of Julius Jones. He was only 19 years old when he was arrested for the 1999 murder of Oklahoma businessman Paul Howell, and has been on death row since his conviction in 2002 and subsequent sentence.
Julius, his family, and supporters argued that there is strong evidence that he was wrongly convicted, and the board of directors seemed to agree that a 3 to 1 vote on Monday recommended that Julius’ sentence be reduced to life imprisonment. May be released on parole, CNN report.
“My son Julius has been on death row for more than 20 years because of a murder he did not commit. It is a waking nightmare for my family every day,” Madeleine David Jones said in a statement through their lawyers. “I thank the Pardon and Parole Committee for once again demonstrating their willingness to listen to facts and reasoning, show compassion, and do everything they can to correct this terrible mistake. Now, I ask Governor Stitt to do the same by accepting their advice. “
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has the final say on Jones’ fate. His office told CNN that he was aware of the board’s actions and would not comment again until he made a decision.
Julius was scheduled to be executed on November 18 for the murder of Paul Howell. When he was shot in the driveway of his parents’ home, his sister and two young daughters were present.
Julius’ leniency petition lists some of the reasons for his innocence, including “the fundamental breakdown of the system responsible for determining his guilt”, such as invalid and inexperienced defense lawyers, racial prejudice in the jury, and alleged improper prosecution behavior.
The same parole board recommended that the sentence be commuted in September.
“The Pardon and Parole Committee has twice voted in favor of the reduction of Julius Jones’ death sentence, acknowledging the serious mistakes that led to his conviction and death penalty. We hope Governor Stitt will exercise his power to accept the committee’s recommendations and ensure Oklahoma The state will not execute an innocent person,” said Amanda Bass, Julius Jones’ chief legal counsel.
On the other hand, Howell’s family and Oklahoma’s Attorney General’s Office rejected Julius’ innocence claim and found him guilty. In a previous statement to CNN, Howell’s daughter Rachel called the narrative about Julius’ case “completely wrong” and the evidence showed that he was guilty.
Ultimately, the decision on leniency rests with the governor. He said in a letter to the parole board last month that he would not make a decision to reduce Julius Jones’ sentence based on their recommendations, but said that the leniency hearing would be The “appropriate” location” in order to consider his case.
We will promptly notify you of any updates.
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