Oklahoma Pardon & Parole Board Votes To Recommend Clemency For Julius Jones

The Oklahoma Pardon & Parole Board has voted to recommend clemency for death row inmate Julius Jones. The board also recommended a commutation of Jones' sentence to life with parole.

The vote was 3-1 in favor of granting clemency with one recusal.

Jones was convicted in the murder of Edmond businessman Paul Howell in 1999.

Jones spoke to the public for the first time in more than two decades on Wednesday to make his plea to the board.

The family of Paul Howell also spoke at the hearing.

The hearing lasted for more than three hours, with lawyers for both sides arguing the case before the board.

Jones was scheduled to be executed on November 18, 2021. Governor Kevin Stitt will now make the final decision on whether the execution will be carried out.