A life spared!
After 20 years of fighting to have his execution paused, Julius Jones’ sentence was commuted to life without the possibility of parole hours before he was to be put to death by lethal injection on Thursday, November 18.
“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,” Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt said in a statement, reported ABC News.
Kim Kardashian — who has worked tirelessly over the years pleading on behalf of Jones — took to social media immediately following the announcement to commend Gov. Stitt for his actions.
“Thank you so much Governor Stitt for commuting Julius Jones sentence to life without parole and stopping his execution,” she wrote via Instagram Story on Thursday. “I spent most of my day on the phone with Julius yesterday in between his lawyer meetings and family visitation which still are not contact visits.”
The Keeping Up with the Kardashians alum noted Jones continued to maintain his innocence even after all these years, adding he wanted her “to pass a few messages along that were important to him” to others in hopes they will learn from his mistakes.
“The most important thing is that you have to always make sure you are doing the right thing,” she explained. “Julius was hanging out with the wrong crowd and that landed him in the position he’s in today. He said if you are doing something your mom wouldn’t approve of then you shouldn’t be doing it.”
She ended her emotional declaration by thanking “the parole board” and once again praising Gov. Stitt.
Jones, now, 41, was 19 when he was arrested for the 1999 murder of Oklahoma businessman Paul Howell. The 45-year-old was shot in his family’s driveway after a carjacking in Edmond. Jones was eventually arrested for the horrific crime and sentenced to death in 2002.
The inmate claimed he was framed by the actual killer, Christopher Jordan, a high school friend and co-defendant who testified against him at trial. Jordan was released from prison after 15 years.
