Attorney General John O'Connor Reacts To Jones Clemency

Reaction continues to pour in after Governor Kevin Stitt commuted the sentence of Julius Jones to life without the possibility of parole on Thursday.

The case has been making international headlines with celebrities, athletes and some politicians being outspoken out about it.

Kim Kardashian West has been a prominent voice campaigning to get Jones off of death row, even meeting with him.

After the Governor's announcement, Kardashian went on Twitter and said "Thank you so much Governor Stitt for commuting Julius Jones' sentence to life without parole and stopping his execution today."

Kardashian says she spent most of the day yesterday talking to Jones and that he refused his anti-anxiety meds because he has a clear conscience and did not want to be drugged up.

She says Jones also told her to share with her 70 million followers that - he was hanging out with the wrong crowd and that landed him in the position he's in today and he wants people to do the right thing.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma Attorney General John O'Conner released a statement saying in part he respects the Governor's decision but "...a thorough review of the evidence confirms Julius Jones' guilt and the death penalty was warranted."

He goes on to say he is praying for Paul Howell's family and "our office will continue to work for justice and for the safety of all Oklahomans, including families like Paul Howell's."

His full statement is below:

“The Office of the Oklahoma Attorney General respects the statutory authority of the Governor to make this decision. I know Governor Stitt is making what he believes is the right decision. I appreciate the Governor’s condition that Mr. Jones never be released from prison. However, we are greatly disappointed that after 22 years, four appeals, including the review of 13 appellate Judges, the work of the investigators, prosecutors, jurors, and the trial Judge have been set aside. A thorough review of the evidence confirms Julius Jones’ guilt in this case and that the death penalty was warranted. Our office will continue to work for justice and for the safety of all Oklahomans, including families like Paul Howell’s. We recognize that the pain of losing a loved one never ends, and our hearts and prayers are with the Howell family.”