OKLAHOMA CITY – Attorneys for death row inmate Julius Jones questioned the federal judge on Thursday morning stay last minute during execution, citing new evidence they say suggests the proposed protocol could put “inmates at significant risk of suffering severe pain.”
Jones, 41, is scheduled to be executed at 4 p.m. local time Thursday at the Oklahoma State Prison. His lawyers asked an Oklahoma City federal judge for his stay on Thursday morning, citing the October 28 execution of John Marion Grant.
Grant suffered convulsions and vomiting after the first drug, the sedative midazolam, was administered, witnesses said. He was declared unconscious about 15 minutes after taking the first three drugs and was pronounced dead about six minutes later.
Jones spent nearly 20 years in prison after being convicted in the fatal shooting of Paul Howell during a carjacking in 1999. He was sentenced to death at the age of 22 but maintained his chastity the whole time. there.
On Wednesday, outside Governor Kevin Stitt’s office, chants of “Free Julius” echoed through the building like Jones’ family, friends and supporters rallied to make their last pleas to stop Thursday’s execution.. In a heartfelt monologue declaring her innocence, Jones’ mother, Madeline Davis-Jones, said, “If my child is executed tomorrow, or any day, then he should be in no doubt. “
As of Thursday morning, Stitt had not said whether he would offer clemency, as recommended this month by a majority of the Oklahoma Board of Amnesty and Amnesty.
Meanwhile, Thursday’s supporters remained on constant alert outside the governor’s office on the second floor of the Oklahoma State Capitol.
Contributing: Christine Fernando, USA TODAY
‘Julius the Free’:Julius Jones’ family and friends make final plea to stop Thursday’s execution in Oklahoma
