![]() “We were fighting for at least 10 to 12 years behind the scenes, and nobody would listen,” Lawson said. There was just one side.”įinancial challenges and “systematic hurdles” made it difficult for the small group of advocates to press forward, said Jimmy Lawson, a longtime family friend. “It hurts that you were not able to testify on the behalf of a loved one, that they couldn’t testify on their own behalf,” said Antoinette Jones, Jones’ sister. ![]() The court has not agreed with arguments by Jones team that his defense team was inexperienced, jurors were racist, key evidence was not shown to the jury and that Jones' not testifying caused problems. Over the next decade, Jones’ family and close friends continued working with lawyers to appeal Jones’ case, which they say was marred with deficiencies. In 2002, he was convicted and sentenced to death. In 1999, Julius Jones, a University of Oklahoma student, was 19 and arrested for the killing an Edmond man in his driveway. And it’s going to take all of us working together …. “It’s just overwhelming,” Madeline Jones said. As of Wednesday, over 3 million individuals had signed an online petition asking for the same. Oklahoma has made significant moves toward reforming its criminal justice system in recent years, pushed by support from the public and some elected officials.Īnd as protests against police brutality continue across the country, Oklahoma City's Black Lives Matter organization included commutation for Jones on a list of demands presented earlier this week. Timing is key, though, said Madeline, Jones’ mother. Since appeals have been exhausted, Jones has just a few options for his case to be reviewed before his sentence will be carried out. “We are glad that more people are getting on board,” said Jones’ father, Anthony. It is time to correct this injustice.It was mid-May, and the family of Oklahoma death row inmate Julius Jones was crowded around a computer in their living room, grappling with the volume for a Zoom interview.īut with their son and brother incarcerated for over 20 years for a crime they say he did not commit and executions set to resume in Oklahoma as early as this fall, the Jones family is relying on a growing group of local and national advocates to pressure the state to grant a release. Jones’ sister Antoinette Jones said at the Capitol Wednesday that in her conversation with Jones, he said, “It’s time. all tweeted out their support for the letter. The German ambassador for the U.S., the Embassy of Denmark, the Slovak ambassador to the U.S., the Belgian ambassador to the U.S., and France’s ambassador to the U.S. released a letter urging him to halt the execution. Stitt is now facing significant international pressure after the European Union’s ambassador to the U.S. Several walkouts also occurred across Oklahoma Wednesday in protest at Oklahoma’s educational institutions, including several high schools. ![]() Cece Jones-Davis has collected over 6.4 million signatures. A Justice for Julius campaign launched by the Jones family has amassed over 70,000 followers on Instagram. Other notable supporters include NBA stars Russell Westbrook, Blake Griffin, and Trae Young.Īwareness of the case has increased exponentially in the past few weeks leading up to Thursday’s planned execution thanks in part to Kardashian’s public lobbying. ![]() He will be checked on every 15 minutes for the last four hours of his life. the day before his execution, #JuliusJones phone privileges will be terminated and he will receive his last meal. He has also designated who will receive his remains.” “His personal property has been catalogued and he has designated who is to receive it after he is put to death. Julius is being closely monitored by staff - every meal he has and every liquid he consumes is logged,” she wrote. “He has been strip-searched, X-rayed, and issued a new set of clothes, shoes, mattress & bedding. 18, he is alone in his prison cell just feet away from the executioner’s chamber," she wrote. “Julius Jones has been on death watch for more than 2 weeks. Kim Kardashian, who has also taken up Jones’ cause, wrote on Twitter about the conditions. “As Julius had tears running down his eyes, he had the question, ‘Why would they do this to me? I wasn’t there! I wasn’t there!'” Jossell said. He said Jones was chained so tight that they could not hug. "Being chained like he was, it brought tears to his eyes, because no one wants to be treated like they are less than an animal,” Jossell said. ![]() Keith Jossell, spoke out Wednesday about the conditions under which Jones is being held. "There will not be any further comment until the governor has made a decision." “The governor takes his role in this process seriously and is carefully considering the Pardon and Parole Board’s recommendation as he does in all cases," said Charlie Hannema, spokesperson for the governor. ![]()
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