Tulsa Pastors Urge Governor Stitt To Commute Julius Jones' Death Sentence

Tulsa religious leaders spoke out against Julius Jones execution by asking Governor Kevin Stitt to spare Jones' life on Sunday.

Sunday, November 7th 2021, 10:09 pm

By: Mallory Thomas

TULSA, Oklahoma -

Tulsa religious leaders spoke out against Julius Jones execution by asking Governor Kevin Stitt to spare Jones' life on Sunday.

Jones is on death row for the 1999 murder of businessman Paul Howell. Jones was granted clemency last week by the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board. Jones has maintained his innocence and his case has gained national attention.

With Jones' execution date set to happen next week, Oklahoma religious leaders said they are coming together to ask Governor Stitt to commute Jones' sentence to life with the possibility of parole.

“We didn’t gather here today to advocate, you know, for or against the death penalty. Nor for Julius Jones innocence or guilty. We didn’t gather for that purpose. We’ve gathered to show one voice concerning the recommendations from the Pardon and Parole Board," said Bishop Melvin Cooper.

The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board recommended commutation back in September, but Governor Stitt said he wanted Jones to go through the clemency process because it would give both sides 40 minutes to present their cases. Governor Stitt said he'll be meeting with several people from both sides before making a decision. “I’ll be meeting with the defense attorneys personally and privately. I’ll meet with the prosecutors personally and privately. I’ll meet with the Howell family that lost their father and their son, you know senselessly murdered and I’ll meet with them as well and then I’ll make a decision," said Governor Stitt.