BREAKING: Oklahoma governor commutes death sentence of Julius Jones to life in prison without the possibility of parole hours before planned execution.
The state’s use of a controversial lethal injection drug amounts to “cruel and unusual punishment,” Jones’ attorneys argued.
“After prayerful consideration and reviewing materials presented by all sides of this case, I have determined to commute Julius Jones’ sentence to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole,” Stitt said in a statement. “Thousands of people across Oklahoma, the country, and the world have called on the Governor to prevent Oklahoma from executing an innocent man,” Jones’ attorney, Amanda Bass, said in a statement Thursday, adding: “Our hope is that the Governor will ensure that this execution does not go forward given the many concerns about the execution process and Mr. Jones’s case.”
Jones maintains he was framed by the actual killer, a high school friend and co-defendant who testified against him and was released from prison after 15 years. “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.”
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