Execution Date Set For Death Row Inmate Julius Jones

The Court of Criminal Appeals has set an execution date for death row inmate Julius Jones.

Jones is scheduled to be executed on November 18. Jones was convicted in the 1999 murder of Edmond businessman Paul Howell. 

The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board recommended 3-1 a commutation of Jones sentence to life in prison on Sept. 13. The motion goes to Gov. Kevin Stitt, who signed more than 750 commutations in his first year in office, setting a state record. However, none of those commutation decisions was as high profile as the Jones case. Julius Jones's quest for commutation has garnered national attention.

The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board, appointed by Stitt, found the death penalty was too severe of a punishment for the 1999 first-degree murder of Paul Howell.

Even with the pardon and parole board's 3-to-1 recommendation, the only person who can take Jones off death row is Stitt.

Oklahoma Attorney General John O'Connor issued a statement late Monday regarding all the execution dates set for death row inmates:

"The family members and loved ones of victims whose lives were taken by these death row inmates have waited for 16 to 36 years for justice, due to the lengthy appeals. The pain of their losses never goes away. My job is to enforce Oklahoma law. I applaud the court for scheduling these dates."