This recusal comes after District Attorney Prater petitioned the Oklahoma Supreme Court to issue a Writ of Prohibition to prevent Chairman Adam Luck and Board Member Kelly Doyle from voting in Jones’ case. Williams stated several times that he was in compliance with the Pardon and Parole Board’s ethics rules, and that he felt he could vote fairly on the case - but out of an abundance of caution, he decided to recuse himself from the hearing to avoid any appearance of impropriety. Masters is a lawyer and sports agent, and Williams said that he had been on an unrelated zoom call with her prior to Jones’ hearing. ![]() Only three members voted because over the weekend, District Attorney David Prater requested that board member Scott Williams recuse himself due to a prior business affiliation with Kelly Masters, a delegate speaking on behalf of Julius Jones during his hearing. INTERFERENCE FROM THE OKLAHOMA COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY Today, he is one step closer due to a favorable vote for commutation from the Board. The last chance he has to escape the death penalty is a sentence commutation recommended by the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board, and approved by Governor Kevin Stitt. Julius is out of options and almost out of time. Julius Jones has exhausted all of his appeals and the United States Supreme Court has denied certiorari on his case four times. Since the conviction, two new individuals have come forward saying that co-defendant Christopher Jordan who is now out of prison – admitted to the crime. This juror’s statement alone should have caused a mistrial. Evidence also shows that a juror used the n-word before jury deliberations at the sentencing phase – the US Supreme Court has stated in multiple cases that blatant racism cannot be allowed to permeate a criminal prosecution. Without a preserved record, appellate courts cannot reach issues that may have tainted the prosecution or the jury’s result. They did not object to several issues which would have been appealable. Jones’ trial attorneys had never tried a death penalty case and admitted in several subsequent affidavits that their defense was ineffective. Jones’ co-defendant was offered a secret deal by the prosecution to testify against Jones–receive a life sentence but get out on parole in 15 years. The arresting officer said a racial epithet when arresting Jones for the crime. Julius Jones was arrested for the crime, and convicted of the murder in 2002, after a long arduous capital murder trial that took place largely under the tenure of “Cowboy” Bob Macy (ranked the nation’s second “deadliest prosecutor” in a study by Harvard University). The murder occurred in front of his two young daughters and his sister. Howell did not survive the gunshot wounds. ![]() Paul Howell was gunned down in his parents’ Edmond driveway in 1999 by a black man who shot twice and took his SUV, ultimately speeding away. On Monday, September 13th, 2021 the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board voted 3-1 to recommend sentence commutation on the case of death row inmate Julius Jones. We invite anyone and everyone to join us and to learn more about Julius' case and what they can do to correct this terrible injustice.SeptemA Favorable Vote for Julius Jones: What it Means and What’s Next Supporters march in support of Julius Jones’s commutation. Sunday is a day for us to share that faith with each other and to lift each other up in prayer. "I have faith in him, and I have faith that he will help grant our leaders the wisdom to see the truth in this case and the courage to do what is right. "I believe God has a plan for Julius Jones and God has a plan for the Oklahomans who continue to fight for justice and freedom for this young man," Jones-Davis said. Cece Jones-Davis said in a press release announcing the vigil that Julius' case has become a rallying cry for people of faith across Oklahoma. Jones' mother, and Antoinette Jones, his sister, are also set to address the crowd. Anthony Washington of the Mount Triumph Baptist Church in McAlester. The Sunday vigil is organized by Minister Keith Jossell, Jones' spiritual advisor and will feature numerous other leaders of faith from around the state, including Rev. If the Board issues a similar recommendation, Stitt will have until Jones' execution date to approve or deny that recommendation. Attorneys for Jones filed the petition for clemency on Friday. Jones' clemency hearing is scheduled for Oct.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |