![]() ![]() And we want to make sure that in the future, this isn’t something we’re going to have to do in 30 years from now. “It shouldn’t ever be considered to take someone’s life away," Gomez said. Not only showing support for Julius Jones, but also protesting the death penalty. "And we just wanted to make sure that everybody in Tulsa was on board with this because it was not ever going to be okay with any of us to take away somebody’s life.” “We messaged everybody else from other schools and their student bodies," said Alexis Gomez, a senior at Booker T Washington. These walkouts were organized by a group of Booker T students, who contacted other students all across the metro. Others, including students at East Central High School also walked around their football fields. It wasn’t just Booker T students walking out. "And I don’t know, it just fills my heart to know we might not have to deal with some of these same issues when we all grow up and become in positions of power and things like that. ![]() “Almost every student came out," Davis said. Nearly the entire student body giving their support. I would want someone to fight on my behalf when I cannot.”Īfter gathering on the football field, students walked around to the front of the school. I would want someone to raise awareness for me. Because if this were me, I would want someone to do the same. "So it kind of just struck something in my heart. He’s a black man just like me," said Christian Davis, a junior at Booker T Washington. They held signs and chanted as they called for justice for Julius Jones. MORE > EXECUTION STOPPED: Julius Jones death sentence commuted, will serve life in prison Washington High School walk out of class in support of Julius Jones. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.2 News Oklahoma Students at Booker T. Supporters of Julius Jones, who has been on death row in Oklahoma for two decades, march to the offices of the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board, Thursday, Feb. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has the final say.įor NPR News in Oklahoma City, I'm Quinton Chandler. And we're asking that Governor Stitt do this immediately.ĬHANDLER: If the Pardon and Parole Board agrees to give Jones a hearing, he will be one step closer to freedom. UNIDENTIFIED PERSON: We are also asking for the granting of clemency and immediate release of wrongfully charged and convicted member of our community, our brother, Julius Jones. No peace.ĬHANDLER: His name was one of those chanted during Black Lives Matter protests last summer. UNIDENTIFIED PROTESTERS: (Chanting) No justice. There are hundreds of pages of court documents arguing for and against Jones. Baich, his attorney, alleges his co-defendant planted that evidence when he spent the night at the house. Prosecutors point to the murder weapon and a red bandanna the gunman is believed to have worn being found inside the home of Jones' parents. In a clemency hearing on Novemhe received a recommendation for a commutation to life WITH parole possibility by a vote of 3-1. He murdered Paul Howell, and he needs to be held accountable.ĬHANDLER: The case has been profiled in a TV network documentary and has garnered support from multiple celebrities. Julius Jones was scheduled to be executed in Oklahoma on November 18, 2021, despite maintaining his innocence and compelling evidence that he was wrongfully convicted for the murder of Paul Howell in 1999. He says the case against Jones is overwhelming. Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter has said Jones' supporters are twisting the facts in a campaign to get him out of prison. They cited researchers who found, in 2017, nonwhite defendants in Oklahoma convicted of murdering white victims were much more likely to receive the death penalty. The defense team highlighted that accusation on appeal. Court documents also show there were questions whether a juror referred to Jones with a racist slur. Baich says they didn't have murder trial experience and didn't adequately defend him. One of Jones' attorneys, Dale Baich, calls the state's case against his client flimsy.ĭALE BAICH: We have identified three individuals who said that the co-defendant confessed to them that he committed the murder and that Julius had nothing to do with the murder.ĬHANDLER: There are also questions about Jones' former attorneys. Thirty-eight people have been exonerated in the state over the past 30 years. Jones' supporters believe he is one more innocent man wrongly convicted. He was convicted of murdering Paul Howell in 1999 and stealing his car. QUINTON CHANDLER, BYLINE: Julius Jones has been behind bars for more than 20 years. Quinton Chandler with StateImpact Oklahoma reports. ![]() This case is raising questions over questionable evidence and systemic racism. An Oklahoma man on death row is making one more bid for his freedom today before the state's Pardon and Parole Board. ![]()
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