Oklahoma Governor Granted Julius Jones Clemency At Last Minute

Julius Jones has been granted clemency and will be removed from death row.

[{"selector":"#anim-0a101fd2-684c-485a-8f7f-65f693221598","keyframes":[{"transform":"scale(1)","offset":0},{"transform":"scale(1.01)","offset":0.33},{"transform":"scale(0.999)","offset":0.66},{"transform":"scale(1)","offset":1}],"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}]

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt gave the executive order.

[{"selector":"#anim-a8a0b86f-b2f6-419c-b734-fc6bdac3a593","keyframes":[{"transform":"scale(1)","offset":0},{"transform":"scale(1.01)","offset":0.33},{"transform":"scale(0.999)","offset":0.66},{"transform":"scale(1)","offset":1}],"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}]

Stitt commuted Jones’ death sentence to life in prision without the possibility of parole.

[{"selector":"#anim-9a1daeb2-2d94-4fc8-9342-1f7cee0a766c","keyframes":[{"transform":"scale(1)","offset":0},{"transform":"scale(1.01)","offset":0.33},{"transform":"scale(0.999)","offset":0.66},{"transform":"scale(1)","offset":1}],"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}]

The governor explained that Jones won’t be eligible for a sentence reduction in the future following the commutation.

[{"selector":"#anim-c781d042-c7d2-40cd-9cd5-5b8981190f96","keyframes":[{"transform":"scale(1)","offset":0},{"transform":"scale(1.01)","offset":0.33},{"transform":"scale(0.999)","offset":0.66},{"transform":"scale(1)","offset":1}],"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}]

Jones had been on death row for almost 20 years after he was sentenced for murder.

[{"selector":"#anim-ae2ad169-972f-401f-b1b3-453677957330","keyframes":[{"transform":"scale(1)","offset":0},{"transform":"scale(1.01)","offset":0.33},{"transform":"scale(0.999)","offset":0.66},{"transform":"scale(1)","offset":1}],"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}]

He was accused of killing a man named Paul Howell during a 1999 carjacking incident.

[{"selector":"#anim-63b3c139-3e97-43f2-a3c1-2644395c6a41","keyframes":[{"transform":"scale(1)","offset":0},{"transform":"scale(1.01)","offset":0.33},{"transform":"scale(0.999)","offset":0.66},{"transform":"scale(1)","offset":1}],"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}]

Jones has, however, maintained his innocence.

[{"selector":"#anim-bcb59b40-3ac8-49e2-8671-61a2f046f1bd","keyframes":[{"transform":"scale(1)","offset":0},{"transform":"scale(1.01)","offset":0.33},{"transform":"scale(0.999)","offset":0.66},{"transform":"scale(1)","offset":1}],"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}]

His case was brought to light by the documentary “The Last Defense,” gaining widespread attention.

[{"selector":"#anim-143c6fda-6136-4edf-bdcc-18461c7912f3","keyframes":[{"transform":"scale(1)","offset":0},{"transform":"scale(1.01)","offset":0.33},{"transform":"scale(0.999)","offset":0.66},{"transform":"scale(1)","offset":1}],"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}]

Stars like Kim Kardashian have since spoken up about getting him justice.

[{"selector":"#anim-f1766fd6-ee88-4a47-93a8-e65df695e5b4","keyframes":[{"transform":"scale(1)","offset":0},{"transform":"scale(1.01)","offset":0.33},{"transform":"scale(0.999)","offset":0.66},{"transform":"scale(1)","offset":1}],"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}] Learn more