Julius Jones: Kim Kardashian reveals details of phone call as Oklahoma governor halts execution
Jones will not be executed, but will also be ineligible for further sentence reductions
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Your support makes all the difference.Julius Jones’ life was spared just hours before he was set to be executed.
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt issued a statement just before 1:20pm EST announcing that he will commute Jones’ sentence to life in prison without the possibility for parole. He also noted in the statement that in doing so, he is removing Jones’ eligibility for any further reduction in his sentence.
“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,” Mr Stitt said in the statement.
After the announcement, Kim Kardashian, who had been a vocal proponent for Jones, revealed that she spoke with Jones on a phone call hours before his execution. She said he refused anti-anxiety medication common for death row inmates facing execution because of his “clear conscience.”
Earlier in the day, Jones’ attorneys filed an emergency injunction hoping to halt his execution, arguing that the state’s recent lethal injections have been riddled with problems that cause lingering, torturous pain and suffering for the inmates sentenced to death. The attorneys hope that by proving that Oklahoma’s lethal injections qualify as “cruel and unusual punishment” they can at least buy their client more time.
Mr Stitt also faced international pressure after the European Union’s ambassador to the US penned a letter calling on him to stop the execution. A petition against the execution has garnered more than 6 million signatures.
The race to spare Julius Jones from the death chamber
Julius Jones’ mother pleads for Oklahoma governor to call off execution
Kim Kardashian issues passionate anti-death penalty plea ahead of Julius Jones’ scheduled execution
Julius Jones: Family wait outside Oklahoma governor’s office in vain ahead of execution
Jones, 41, has spent more than half of his life in prison after he was charged and convicted of the murder of Paul Howell during a 1999 carjacking. He has maintained that he is innocent of the crime and was framed by his then-friend and co-defendant, who allegedly actually shot Mr Howell.
Still no clemency decision from Oklahoma governor as execution draws closer
Family and campaigners supporting Julius Jones are still awaiting a decision from Oklahoma governor Kevin Stitts on whether the death row inmate will be granted clemency.
The Republican governor has still not said whether he will accept the recommendation from the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board, which voted 3-1 on 1 November to commute Jones’ sentence to life in prison with the possibility of parole, CNN reported.
“This governor has nothing to pray about, he has a decision to make,” said Cece Jones-Davis, director of the Justice for Julius campaign, in reference to reports the governor was in “deep prayer” about the decision.
“Governor, you still have a chance, you still have time,” she said. “You have time governor Stitt to get this right.”
The broadcaster said it had not heard back from governor Stitt’s office after approaching them.
Julius Jones has ‘lost his visitation and phone privileges’ according to reports
Julius Jones has lost his visitation and phone privileges as the time of his execution draws closer, according to reports.
Oklahoma journalist Abigail Ogle wrote in a Twitter post: “Julius Jones lost his visitation and phone privileges. I just spoke to attorney Kelli Masters who talked to him last night. She is one of the last people to talk to Jones unless the Governor intervenes.”
Ms Ogle shared transcriptions from a conversation with Jones’ attorney.
In one screenshot, Ms Masters said: “I think the hardest thing for him is the uncertainty. Like everybody we are waiting to see if there will be an announcement or if it will just play out.
“He just wanted to know. He wanted to know what to prepare for.”
German ambassador to USA also joins calls for clemency
Emily Haber, the German ambassador to USA also joined calls yesterday for the clemency of Julius Jones.
In a Twitter post she wrote: “As Germans, abolishing the death penalty was one of the lessons we took from our history. Today, I join in calling for clemency for #JuliusJones.
“I hope all the U.S. will join the historic process to abandon capital punishment.”
ICYMI: Explainer - doubts raised as execution nears for Julius Jones
The fate of Julius Jones — who has served almost 20 years on death row, even as numerous questions raised doubts about his guilt — rests with Oklahoma governor Kevin Stitt
Only hours are left for Stitt to decide whether Jones lives or dies. He is scheduled to receive a lethal injection Thursday.
Jones, now 41, was convicted and sentenced to die for the 1999 shooting death of Paul Howell, a businessman from an affluent Oklahoma City suburb. Jones has consistently maintained his innocence.
The full story below addresses the key arguments made by Jones’ attorneys and the responses from prosecutors:
EXPLAINER: Doubts raised as execution nears for Julius Jones
The fate of Julius Jones rests with Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt
Pressure continues to mount on Oklahoma state governor amid clemency decision
Pressure continues to mount on governor Kevin Stitt as the family and campaigners of Julius Jones await his decision on whether the death row inmate will be granted clemency.
With Julius Jones’ execution only hours away, social media users continue to tweet the state governor calling on him to grant clemency to Julius Jones.
Additionally, the governor’s office has received thousands of calls from campaigners urging him to intervene before Jones is executed today.
ICYMI: Video shows Oklahoma high school students walking out of class
A video has shown dozens of high school students in Oklahoma walking out of class in protest against the execution of Julius Jones.
According to reports, there were walkouts at six different skills in Oklahoma.
Watch: Baker Mayfield tears up discussing Julius Jones case
Baker Mayfield teared up discussing Julius Jones’ case as the death row inmate is scheduled to be executed unless governor Kevin Stitt grants him clemency.
ICYMI: Kim Kardashian issues passionate anti-death penalty plea ahead of Julius Jones’ scheduled execution
Kim Kardashian has been one of the highest profile celebrities to support inmate Julius Jones, and called for Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt to spare his life.
Jones is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection on Thursday. The 41-year-old inmate has spent more than half of his life in prison, after being convicted of murdering businessman Paul Howell during a 1999 carjacking when he was 19-years-old – a crime he maintains he did not commit.
The Kardashian issued a statement after Jones’ mother was refused an 11th-hour meeting with Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, in a last-ditch attempt to call off her son’s execution.
Our reporter Jade Bremmer has the full report below:
Kim Kardashian speaks out against death penalty ahead of Julius Jones’ execution
The inmate is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection on Thursday, after being convicted of murder in 2002
Dontae Sharpe: Man wrongfully jailed for 24 years despite state witness admitting she lied is finally pardoned
North Carolina last week saw a man wrongfully jailed for 24 years granted full clemency by North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper.
Mr Sharpe was just 19-years-old when he was arrested and charged with the 1994 murder of 33-year-old George Radcliffe in Greenville, North Carolina, during what prosecutors said was a drug deal gone wrong.
His conviction was largely based on the testimony of a 15-year-old girl who claimed she saw Mr Sharpe, who is Black, shoot and kill Mr Radcliffe, who was white.
The girl admitted at Mr Sharpe’s trial that she had been paid $500 to come forward.
Our reporter Rachel Sharp has the full story below:
Dontae Sharpe: Man wrongfully jailed for 24 years for murder is finally pardoned
Dontae Sharpe is given a full pardon by North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper after fighting to clear his name for more than two decades
Steve Kerr joins calls for Julius Jones to receive clemency
Steve Kerr has again joined calls for Julius Jones to be granted clemency. In a video posted yesterday, the Golden State Warriors coach called on governor Stitt to grant clemency in the case.
“This can not happen in a civilised nation,” Kerr said.
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