Dear Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board and Governor Stitt, Julius Jones (#270147OSP) is on Death Row for a horrific murder in 1999, despite persisting questions regarding his guilt.  The ABC Network’s three-hour documentary, The Last Defense, strengthens the case for his innocence. A worldwide audience is following the case, looking with fresh eyes at the Jones conviction, and concluding that he did not receive a fair trial. 

Due in part to legislation passed in the 1990s, appeals judges tend to review the specific evidence that is brought before them, and mostly avoid connecting the dots and evaluating how each mistake fits into the larger narrative. Former Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Gerald Kogan wrote that the U. S. Supreme Court “should insist, at the very least, that Jones receives a hearing where all the evidence, including that of racial bias, can be heard.” The Court ruled that these issues should have been raised earlier, therefore, Julius' life now depends upon Oklahomans, the Pardon and Parole Board and the governor. I ask that you grant clemency, so the quest for justice is no longer derailed.

A diverse group of local and international leaders, including former House Speaker Kris Steele, the Congressional Black Caucus, Sister Helen Prejean, legal scholar Bryan Stevenson and others have joined the struggle for justice for Julius Jones. If Julius were retried today, what evidence could now be considered?

The testimony of four family members on what Julius was doing at the time of the murder was not provided to the jury, neither did the jury hear statements by two inmates who said that the co-defendant bragged about the killing and the deal he made to get out of prison in 15 years. He, in fact, was released 15 years into his 30-year sentence.

Julius’ inexperienced public defender acknowledged that he did a “terrible job” of cross-examining the co-defendant who repeatedly contradicted himself when fingering Julius as the murderer. The only eyewitness testified that the shooter, like the co-defendant who had cornrows, had up to an inch of hair sticking out from his cap, but the jury wasn’t shown contemporary photographs of Julius’ close-cropped hair.

A juror said, “Well, they should just take that n—– out back, shoot him and bury him under the jail.” The jury foreman told ABC that, in a case like that one, you “go with your heart more than anything else.” The juror trusted “what you felt in your gut.” When delivering the verdict, the juror “felt right.”

Oklahoma ranks first in the country’s incarceration rates, and alarming cases of exonerations continue to persist because of the work of the Oklahoma Innocence Project. Because of the pervasive issues in Julius Jones’ case, now is the time to review his clemency application and act affirmatively.

Dear Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board and Governor Stitt, I write today to convey my gratitude for the work you have already done to reform Oklahoma’s criminal justice system. I understand that the nature of the work is arduous and very comprehensive and, hope that this letter is affirming and an indication that many citizens anticipate further reform measures. There have been historical systemic injustices within Oklahoma’s legal system. However, with your leadership, criminal justice reform advocates, and determined lawmakers, a better Oklahoma is on the horizon—a better Oklahoma that will remedy and heal past wounds caused by poor criminal justice policies, biased court systems, and a lack of foresight within the criminal justice system. I am specifically writing to you out of deep concern regarding the Julius Jones case ((#270147OSP). Mr. Jones has been on Oklahoma’s death row for the past 20 years, though there remain many outstanding questions. Considering the details that have surfaced regarding racial bias, ineffective legal counsel, and his co-defendant’s questionable plea deal, I am concerned that the state of Oklahoma may be in jeopardy of executing a wrongfully convicted person. As a nation, we must turn the page on a dark history of injustices within our system. John Grishams’ Netflix special, “The Innocent Man”, Viola Davis’ ABC documentary, “The Last Defense”, and Ava Duvernay’s film, “Central Park 5” have forced our society to grapple with some painful truths about the shameful consequences of a broken criminal justice system. As you know, Oklahoma has shared in this shame. The only remedy is to look at every aspect of the system, even the dark corners of death row. The state’s redemption is directly connected to its willingness to be honest, transparent, and to do the hard work of correcting blatant injustices, like evident in the case of Julius Jones. I urge you to support his clemency application and bring relief to his family as soon as possible.

Julius Jones never had a defense. His side of the story was never presented in court. Honorable Board Members, please give him a fair chance at his commutation hearing. With all the unanswered questions surrounding his verdict, he deserves to be heard. You deserve answers. We all do. When you find for yourselves the inconsistencies, questions, injustices, and doubts I am certain you will find, please commute his death sentence and set him free

There is never a bad time to do what is right. Life is so precious. Please find it in your heart to review and hear Julius Jones’ pleas for help.

There is strong evidence that supports the innocence of Julius Jones. Judge Frank Seay of Shawnee, OK has said, "When our justice is more concerned with maintaining a conviction that learning the truth, we are all in trouble". Please be open to hearing the truth from Julius Jones.

Julius was not given a fair trial and he deserves one. Please do the right thing and consider granting him a commutation. Please do not let Oklahoma kill an innocent man.

If ever a case demanded your review, it is the conviction of Julius Jones. The ends of justice cannot be served until each flaw in his case is examined to ensure the State of Oklahoma does not execute an innocent man. Please exercise the broad power you hold to seek the truth and to grant him relief if any shred of doubt exists.

Julius Jones' own attorney said he had never tried a death penalty case. Juror misconduct alone should have granted him a new trial long ago. Was this jury diverse? He wasn't being tried for a traffic offense, this kid was on trial for his life. He did NOT have adequate representation on top of everything else that was wrong in this trial. Please send him home.

When it comes to taking a person’s life, there must be no doubt of their guilt for the crime he or she was charged with. In Julius Jones' case, there are over 7 million people who strongly believe he is innocent. Please do the right thing, let go of any negative thoughts or bias and see this situation for what it really is. Please correct this wrong and let Julius Jones go out and live the life he deserves.

Julius Jones was arrested at the age of 19. Tried, convicted and on death row by 21. He is a victim of 1990’s southern politics and beliefs. He was charged by a prosecutor referred to as “cowboy”, whose mission it seems was to send as many black men to death row as he could. You've done much to make Oklahoma better. Please don't forget about Julius Jones.

As difficult as it may be to reverse a judge’s sentence, doing justice should not be difficult. Justice in Julius Jones' case is not the death penalty. I beseech you to exercise your statutory power and commute the death penalty in his case.

I beg of you to see the injustice that I and so many others see. I beg of you to grant Julius Jones clemency. Let him go home. Let him be with his family. So much has been lost. Neither Julius nor his family will ever get back those lost years, but time can be redeemed. Oklahoma cannot afford the shame of a wrongful execution.

The Pardon and Parole Board must keep its word and grant Julius Jones his commutation hearing this September. If it is delayed any further, Julius may get an execution date and this entire process will be for nothing. The whole world is watching – Julius deserves a chance to tell his side of this story.

Julius Jones has been waiting for over 20 years to make the case for his innocence. We, the public, are waiting eagerly for him to have this chance in September. Please do not allow his commutation hearing to be delayed or pushed back any further than the September hearing he has been promised. It is time for the truth to come to light.

Julius Jones is in prison and on death row because his defense attorneys never called him or his family to the stand to present their side of the story. Now, Julius is once again being written out of his own case for innocence and barred from speaking. This is unacceptable and beneath the standards of truth and justice espoused by the Pardon and Parole Board. Please revisit the decision to bar Julius from his own commutation hearing and allow him to address the Board this September.

It is important for the state of Oklahoma and the Pardon and Parole Board to demonstrate that they are indeed interested in the truth and not just rushing to execute Julius Jones. At a minimum, that means letting Julius speak at and participate in his own commutation hearing. If the state cannot allow him to state his case, then it cannot claim to have treated him fairly. Please ensure that Julius Jones is able to participate in his commutation hearing, present evidence of his innocence, and face his accusers.