Attorneys fighting for his freedom say the case leading to his conviction was seriously flawed. Jones has always maintained his innocence. Jones, 41, was sentenced to death for the 1999 shooting death of Paul Howell in Edmond, Okla. "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," Stitt announced. Stitt reduced Jones' sentence to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, intervening before his scheduled lethal injection but falling short of the state parole board's recommendation. Kevin Stitt has commuted the death sentence of Julius Jones, after mounting public pressure and just hours before he was set to be executed. Oklahoma Department of Corrections via AP “So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board recommended this month that Julius Jones' death sentence be commuted to life in prison with the possibility of parole.
Like Madeline dancing for joy that her son’s life has been spared, we can rejoice that Jesus gave up his own life willingly for us while we were against him. Yet spiritually, do we trust in the finished work of Jesus on the cross? Time is running out and there is not another hearing before God (see Hebrews 9:27-28 and Acts 4:12). We may not be on death row or behind bars physically. Without further intervention, he will remain locked up for the rest of his life. “We’ve only just begun”, she said, as the family now turn their attention to continue the fight for justice. Julius has spent roughly half of his life behind bars. Madeline Davis-Jones, mother of Julius, praised God for the outcome and was filmed dancing with joy, surrounded by those who have tirelessly campaigned for her son’s life. When one person turns from their sin to Christ, there is much rejoicing in heaven (Luke 15:7). The penalty of sin is death and Jesus paid the price in our place. Through Jesus’ death on the cross in our place, we can have life and hope, both in this life and in the next. When we look to the cross, we see both justice and mercy on display. Julius’ case points us to our desperate need for hope in both life and death. He said with confidence and elation that he would see Julius tomorrow. On the news of Julius’s life being saved, the Justice for Julius Instagram account proclaimed:Ī post shared by Julius Jones advisor to Julius, Minister Keith Jossell was preparing to be with him in his final moments, and “ready to help escort him to the doorsteps of heaven.” After the verdict was delivered, he shared that Julius “has gone from death to life”. Facing national and international pressure, he reviewed material on both sides, and commuted the sentence to 'life imprisonment without the possibility of parole'. With just over four hours until the execution, Governor Stitt finally released his decision " after prayerful consideration”. Cece Jones-Davis said, “Where there is life, there is hope.” Founder of the Justice for Julius campaign Rev. Supporters rallied together in those final hours demonstrating their faith and hope. They held prayer vigils leading up to the planned execution and proclaimed “There is power in the name of Jesus to break every chain” outside Oklahoma State Penitentiary. Influencers from Kim Kardashian to TD Jakes have used their platforms to help, students participated in mass walkouts in support of Julius and the #JusticeforJulius hashtag on social media was used to generate awareness.įor the Jones family, faith in God has been central to their campaign.
#JUSTICE FOR JULIUS JONES PETITION SERIES#
The plight of Julius Jones featured in a popular 2018 documentary series The Last Defense, and more than six million people signed a petition asking Governor Stitt to stop the execution.
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