- Julius Jones was convicted of the murder of Paul Howell in Edmond in 1999 but maintained his innocence.
- Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has yet to say whether he will grant clemency, as recommended by the state Board of Amnesty and Amnesty.
- Jones is expected to die on Thursday by lethal injection inside the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester.
In the dying hours before Julius Jones’ scheduled execution, His mother had a sincere monologue declaring his innocence outside the door of Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt’s office on Wednesday.
It could be her last chance to defend her son before he takes his last breath. Without Stitt’s intervention, Jones would have been executed at 4pm on Thursday CST.
Madeline Davis-Jones said: “If my child is executed tomorrow, or any day, it will definitely happen. “Apologizing won’t bring anyone back. Why apologize? Be sure.”
Her remarks were met with chants of “Julius free” that echoed throughout the building.
As of late Wednesday, Stitt had yet to say whether he would offer clemency, following this month’s recommendation by a majority of the Oklahoma Board of Amnesty and Amnesty.
Davis-Jones’ comments came shortly after she met her son for possibly the last time and on the same day as Hundreds of students at schools across the Oklahoma City metro area walked out of the classrooms support Jones.
Jones was found guilty of murder in the shooting that killed Paul Howell during a 1999 carjacking in Edmond but maintained his innocence. He was scheduled to die by lethal injection inside the Oklahoma State Prison in McAlester.
“I wasn’t involved in that in any way. I wasn’t present. I didn’t even know he was killed until after the incident,” Jones said at a clemency hearing on Jan. 1. November.
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Prosecutors have denied Jones’ innocence, saying his 2002 trial showed clear evidence of his guilt and that the campaign to free him was based on false information. deviated.
Millions of people have signed petitions in support of him, and hundreds have joined rallies calling for his freedom. At a clemency hearing this month, the Oklahoma Board of Amnesty and Amnesty recommended 3-1 that his death sentence be reduced to life in prison with the possibility of pardon.
Howell was 45 years old and was working for the family’s bond and insurance company when he was murdered in his driveway and his car stolen.
Local rapper Jabee Williams was among hundreds of supporters gathered at the Capitol on Wednesday. He was among those leading the charge for Jones’ freedom.
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“Yesterday Julius told me, ‘Jabee, if they kill me, make sure they can’t do this to anyone else,’” Williams said.
Stitt may approve, modify or decline the Amnesty and Parole Board’s proposal. The Governor may also grant temporary residency to allow more time to make a decision.
Former Governor Brad Henry, a Democrat, conducted a 30-day execution on multiple occasions to donate himself more time to consider leniency proposals.
Stitt’s office on Tuesday told local pastors that the Republican governor was in deep prayer over Jones’ offer of clemency.
“You have time, Governor Stitt, to do this right,” said Cece Jones-Davis, founder of the Justice for Julius coalition and one of the speakers at the Capitol during Wednesday’s vigil. .
If his execution goes ahead, Jones will be secured in a bed with intravenous lines in place, according to Oklahoma Department of Corrections procedures. An electrocardiogram will be applied to monitor his heart.
After the execution order is read, Jones will have two minutes to share his final words. He may refuse to speak.
The execution will begin after Jones has had enough opportunity to speak.
The state is using a trick consisting of three drugs, midazolam, vecuronium bromide and potassium chloride to carry out executions.
After the first injection of chemotherapy, a doctor would enter the execution room and check on Jones to see if he had regained consciousness. After he is confirmed unconscious, second and third chemicals will be used to bring him to death.
