![]() ![]() As protests against police brutality across the United States persist, Oklahoma City's Black Lives Matter chapter has included a commutation for Jones in a list of demands presented to Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt.įor those fighting for Jones' freedom, the goal has remained straightforward: draw as much attention to his case as possible, show the Pardon and Parole Board there's a reason to consider his clemency and get it to the governor for approval. The name recognition of the athletes - all of whom have strong ties to Oklahoma - is something organizers hope will resonate, especially in the present moment. "As more details come to light regarding his situation, I join with many voices to express sadness and profound concern regarding his conviction and death sentence." " conviction was tainted by a deeply flawed process," Westbrook, the longtime face of the Oklahoma City Thunder who is now with the Houston Rockets, wrote in his letter. The Julius Jones Coalition, a group established in 2019 composed of family, friends and community organizers pursuing Jones' innocence, has gathered support in recent months as NBA stars Blake Griffin, Russell Westbrook, Trae Young and Buddy Hield and NFL quarterback Baker Mayfield authored and sent letters to the governor's office.Įach letter hit a key issue that led to Jones' conviction - racial bias, a flawed investigation, an ill-equipped defense - and points to the wrong person sitting on death row. Jones has now exhausted every appeal and is eligible for an execution date, which could be as soon as this fall. In October 2019, Jones filed his clemency report, asking for his sentence to be commuted to time served. "I have spent the past 20 years on death row for a crime I did not commit, did not witness and was not at." "As God is my witness, I was not involved in any way in the crimes that led to Howell being shot and killed," Jones said in his clemency report. Howell's sister, Megan Tobey, was the only eyewitness.Īfter a three-day search for a suspect described as a young black male wearing a white shirt, a skull or stocking cap, and a red bandana over his face, Jones, then 19, was arrested. Two shell casings were found at the scene. The 45-year-old businessman was shot in the head on July 28, 1999, while sitting in a tan GMC Suburban in his parents' driveway in Edmond, Oklahoma. In 2002, Jones was convicted of first-degree murder for the death of Paul Howell. He's on death row, serving time for a crime he maintains he didn't commit, in a cell alongside 53 others stacked in two rows inside the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester. On Thursday, Julius Jones' death sentence was commuted to life in prison without the possibility of parole.įOR JULIUS JONES, H Unit has been home for 18 years. Why Blake Griffin, Russell Westbrook and other NBA stars fought to save Julius JonesĮditor's note: This story was originally published on June 17, 2020. Learn more about Julius and advocate on his behalf by clicking the link below.You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browser ![]() It has never been more to not shut up and dribble. It’s important to shine a light on these kinds of moments, and continue to encourage athletes to stand for what they believe in. Kevin Stitt and the membership of the state’s Pardon and Parole Board to give Jones a fair shake, but this is the world in 2020. It shouldn’t take three NBA stars to get Oklahoma Gov. “Julius’s attorneys, who lacked death penalty experience and were woefully unprepared, failed to cross-examine the co-defendant regarding his inconsistencies,” Young wrote, “Right now, Julius Jones’ life is in your hands.” Justice wasn’t served in 1999, but it isn’t too late to save Jones from the corrupt system that put him on death row. The jury also did not see a photo that would have shown that Julius did not fit the eyewitness’ description,” Griffin wrote. “The jury did not hear that the Jones family was hosting a game night at the time of the crime and that Julius was present. On top of it all, the jury wasn’t made aware of critical details that could’ve exonerated Jones. To hear that a juror allegedly used the N-word when referring to Julius during trial, yet remained on the jury, is deeply disturbing to me,” Westbrook said. I am also troubled by the issues of racial bias in Julius’ case. “In addition, they failed to adequately question the co-defendant, who is reported to have bragged in jail about framing Julius. ![]()
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