Julius Jones: Kim Kardashian reveals details of phone call as Oklahoma governor halts execution
Jones will not be executed, but will also be ineligible for further sentence reductions
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Julius Jones’ life was spared just hours before he was set to be executed.
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt issued a statement just before 1:20pm EST announcing that he will commute Jones’ sentence to life in prison without the possibility for parole. He also noted in the statement that in doing so, he is removing Jones’ eligibility for any further reduction in his sentence.
“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,” Mr Stitt said in the statement.
After the announcement, Kim Kardashian, who had been a vocal proponent for Jones, revealed that she spoke with Jones on a phone call hours before his execution. She said he refused anti-anxiety medication common for death row inmates facing execution because of his “clear conscience.”
Earlier in the day, Jones’ attorneys filed an emergency injunction hoping to halt his execution, arguing that the state’s recent lethal injections have been riddled with problems that cause lingering, torturous pain and suffering for the inmates sentenced to death. The attorneys hope that by proving that Oklahoma’s lethal injections qualify as “cruel and unusual punishment” they can at least buy their client more time.
Mr Stitt also faced international pressure after the European Union’s ambassador to the US penned a letter calling on him to stop the execution. A petition against the execution has garnered more than 6 million signatures.
The race to spare Julius Jones from the death chamber
Julius Jones’ mother pleads for Oklahoma governor to call off execution
Kim Kardashian issues passionate anti-death penalty plea ahead of Julius Jones’ scheduled execution
Julius Jones: Family wait outside Oklahoma governor’s office in vain ahead of execution
Jones, 41, has spent more than half of his life in prison after he was charged and convicted of the murder of Paul Howell during a 1999 carjacking. He has maintained that he is innocent of the crime and was framed by his then-friend and co-defendant, who allegedly actually shot Mr Howell.
Reverend Cece Jones-Davis is with the Jones family
Reverend Cece Jones-Davis, founder of the Justice for Julius movement, is with the Jones family. She tweets: “I’m with the Jones family at their last visit with Julius Jones unless Governor Kevin Stitt intervenes. This is evil. Don’t you ever believe that any of this is God’s Will.”
“Y’all know Mama Jones is the strongest woman in the world. Today, her eyes are closed in the back seat. I asked how she was doing. She said, ‘I’m empty inside. I feel invisible.’”
Who is Governor Stitt?
John Kevin Stitt is the 28th governor of Oklahoma. A Republican, he has been in office since January 2019 having won the 2018 election.
He was formerly the chairman and CEO of Gateway Mortgage Group and touted his business acumen in his run for office. During his campaign, he called himself “the only job creator with proven business experience” running for governor.
Mr Stitt received support from Senator Ted Cruz and former senators Rick Santorum and Tom Coburn. He was endorsed by then-president Donald Trump, and vice president Mike Pence campaigned for him.
With regards to capital punishment in the state, Oklahoma has conducted the third-most executions since the death penalty was reinstated in Gregg v. Georgia (1976). However, in 2015, a moratorium was placed on all state executions following the botched execution of Clayton Lockett in April 2014 and the execution of Charles Warner by unauthorized methods in January 2015.
On 13 February 2020, Governor Stitt announced that the moratorium would be lifted.
Mr Stitt drew national attention several times during the Covid-19 pandemic, first by posting a photo of himself eating at a packed restaurant with two of his children as much of the country locked down. He later deleted the tweet.
In April he placed a massive order of hydroxychloroquine, the drug heavily promoted by the president as a cure for coronavirus with no evidence to suggest it was an effective treatment. In January of 2021, the state attempted to return $2m with of its stockpile.
The governor also attended the infamous Trump rally in Tulsa on 20 June and was seen not wearing a mask. The indoor rally turned into a superspreader event, though the governor was not infected.
On 15 July 2020 he announced that he had tested positive for Covid-19 becoming the first governor to be diagnosed with the virus.
Mr Stitt is a member of the Cherokee nation, the first tribally enrolled Native American to serve as governor of a US state, and Oklahoma’s second governor of Native descent after Johnston Murray. He grew up in Norman, Oklahoma, and graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in accounting. He and his wife, Sarah Stitt, have six children.
Julius Jones’ sister praises Kim Kardashian for checking in on family
Julius’ sister, Antoinette Jones, told TMZ that Kim Kardashian has been in touch with the family in recent days to see how they’re holding up — but more importantly, to get a pulse on how Julius himself is handling the dire situation.
Antoinette also said she appreciates how Kim’s posts have mobilised so many people and made so many aware of the situation.
Read Kim’s heartfelt Twitter posts below.
Kim Kardashian speaks out against death penalty ahead of Julius Jones’ execution
The inmate is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection on Thursday, after being convicted of murder in 2002
Media witnesses to attend execution
Shardaa Gray of Fox 25 writes: “In case you’re wondering, we did receive an invitation from the Oklahoma Department of Corrections for Julius Jones’ scheduled execution.”
“The time of execution is scheduled for 4 PM, about the same time as John Grant,” she continues.
“5 media witnesses are allowed to view the execution,” Ms Gray writes, clarifying: “One seat is reserved for a local media representative in the town where the crime was committed, one is reserved for a representative with the Associated Press, and the three remaining seats will be determined through a lottery-style pick.”
Students walk out in support of Jones
Students at John Marshall High School in Oklahoma City have walked out of classes and will remain on the football field until the end of the school day in support of Julius Jones.
Some 200 students have gathered and will hold a 22-minute silence for Jones. School officials report the entire school of grades 9 through 12 is staging the walkout.
Students at another high school join protest
Students at a second Oklahoma City high school have also walked out in support of Julius Jones.
Student protests spread across Oklahoma City
At least six high schools have seen students walk out in support of Julius Jones.
Statement from Oklahoma City Public Schools
OKPCS supports our students’ right to peaceful assembly and their freedom of expression. We have worked closely with students and student groups who wished to assemble today so we could provide them with a safe space to express themselves regarding an issue they are passionate about. Our top priority is always to support the academic and social-emotional needs of our students while maintaining a safe and orderly learning environment.
Fundraiser for governor cancelled
A campaign fundraiser for the governor that was scheduled for today was cancelled according to Governor Stitt’s campaign manager.
She says the Governor is “fully focused” on the clemency decision.
NAACP reacts to student protests
The NAACP has reacted to the widespread protests by high school students across Oklahoma City.
A tweet from the organisation reads: “Governor Stitt even the youth in your state can recognize the wrong that you have the power to change TODAY! Honour their demonstration, his family, the millions of supporters across this nation and the recommendation of your Parole Board for clemency for Julius Jones.”
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