Jones’ death sentence commuted to life in prison


Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has commuted the death sentence of condemned inmate Julius Jones, whose case drew the attention of numerous sports figures, such as NBA stars Russell Westbrook, Blake Griffin and Trae Young.

Stitt commuted Jones’ sentence on Thursday — the date of his scheduled execution — to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Jones’ case drew widespread attention after it was profiled in “The Last Defense,” a three-episode documentary produced by actress Viola Davis that aired on ABC in 2018. Since then, a number of sports figures with Oklahoma ties, including Westbrook, Griffin and Young, have urged Stitt to commute Jones’ death sentence and spare his life.

Former Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield spoke out in support of Jones on Wednesday, saying: “I have been trying to get the facts stated and the truth to be told for a while, but it is tough to think about. Tried and tried. It is a shame that it has gotten this far. We are 24 hours away. It is tough. Hopefully God can intervene and handle it correctly and do the things he needs to do.”

Mayfield reacted to the news of Jones’ commutation in a tweet Thursday.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, who wrote letters to Stitt and the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board in the summer of 2020, said he was “thankful” for Thursday’s ruling.

“I know there’s a lot of people that are supporting Julius and supporting the governor’s decision in which he made, and we’re all very, very thankful for not taking an innocent man’s life,” Prescott said. “For me, it’s about continuing to do whatever I can to help.”

Prescott said he learned about the case shortly after the death of his brother by suicide in April 2020. He said he wanted to have the chance to “help somebody else save their life.”

Jones, 41, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to die for the 1999 shooting death of Edmond, Oklahoma, businessman Paul Howell during a carjacking. Jones has proclaimed his innocence from death row for more than two decades, saying he was framed by the actual killer, a high school friend and former co-defendant who was a key witness against him.

Amanda Bass, a lawyer representing Jones, said that the team had hoped Stitt would grant Jones a chance at parole but that the team was grateful that he wouldn’t be executed.

“Governor Stitt took an important step today towards restoring public faith in the criminal justice system by ensuring that Oklahoma does not execute an innocent man,” Bass said in a statement.

Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr tweeted out a video Wednesday in which he said: “I wanted to put this video out, please share it. Please join in the fight to save an innocent man’s life. Do it for Julius. Do it for his family. Do it for our country. This cannot happen in a civilized nation, and we have to keep this from happening. Do everything you can.”

The Pardon and Parole Board recommended in a 3-1 vote Nov. 1 that Stitt commute Jones’ sentence to life in prison, with several members of the panel agreeing they had doubts about the evidence that led to Jones’ conviction. But Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater and the state’s former attorney general, Mike Hunter, have said the evidence against Jones is overwhelming.

EDITOR’S PICKS

Why NBA stars fought to save the life of Julius Jones, a death row inmate in Oklahoma
18hRoyce Young
Information from trial transcripts shows that witnesses identified Jones as the shooter and placed him with Howell’s stolen vehicle. Investigators also found the murder weapon wrapped in a bandanna with Jones’ DNA in an attic space above his bedroom. Jones claimed in his commutation filing that the gun and bandanna were planted there by the person he identifies as the actual killer, who had been inside Jones’ house after the killing.

Howell’s sister, Megan Tobey, and two young daughters were in Howell’s SUV when the carjacking happened in his parents’ driveway. Tobey testified before the board that she distinctly remembers seeing Jones shoot her brother.

“He is the same person today as he was 22 years ago. He’s still getting into trouble. He’s still in a gang. He’s still lying. And he still feels no shame, guilt or remorse for his action,” Tobey said. “We need Julius Jones to be held responsible.”

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Got a story or tip for us? Email Sports Gossip editors at tips@sportsgossip.com 

Want More From Sports Gossip? 

For all the latest breaking Sports Gossip, be sure to follow SportsGossip.com on FacebookInstagram, and Twitter.

You can view the original article HERE.

When Paul Simon Bombed at the Movies | Features
Arthur the King Review | A Solid but Often Cheesy True Story Adventure
Lindsay Lohan’s Latest Netflix RomCom Fails to Charm on Rotten Tomatoes
SXSW 2024: Whatever It Takes, Resynator, The Hobby | Festivals & Awards
Patton Oswalt and Anthony Bourdain bonded over love of ‘Ratatouille’
Usher adds 10th and final London show to 2025 world tour
Steve Harley, singer with Cockney Rebel, dies at 73
Tucker Carlson tricked into interviewing YouTube prankster about Kate Middleton
TV Ratings Winners of the 2024 Season So Far
Why Young Sheldon Needed to End According to Producers
Blue Bloods Season 14 Episode 4 Review: Past is Present
Born Again’s Charlie Cox Opens Up Karen Page & Foggy Nelson’s Return
Where to Find Magic Mushrooms in Vancouver
Steelers acquire Justin Fields in trade with Bears
Ngannou says 3rd boxing match ‘maybe’ next
Report: Rams signing Jimmy Garoppolo
Travis Kelce’s Chiefs Teammate Hopes He Marries Taylor Swift, Has Kids
Who is Banksy? Everything we know about his identity
Kristin Cavallari’s New Boyfriend Mark Estes Bonding with Son
Elizabeth Hurley Says She Felt Liberated During Sex Scene Directed By Son
Lure Fishbar Celebrates 20 Years, Stars Turn Out To Support Paul Simon
Editor’s Pick: Haven Well Within Dulci Collection
Tommy Dorfman Guest Edits ELLE’s New Series, CEOs To Know
Olivia Rodrigo’s Beret From Lidow Archive