What’s Next? Attorney Reacts To Gov. Stitt’s Commutation of Julius Jones’ Sentence, Chances of Parole

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt spared Julius Jones from execution Thursday, but denied him a chance at parole. 

In his order, Stitt included a condition that Jones “shall not be eligible to apply for or be considered for a commutation, pardon, or parole for the remainder of his life.” 

Ed Blau, a former prosecutor and criminal defense attorney, said state law prohibits an inmate from requesting commutation twice. 

“There doesn’t seem to be any legal mechanism by which Mr. Jones could get his life without parole sentence reduced to life sentence with parole at this point,” Blau said. 

Although Stitt preemptively blocked Jones from requesting a pardon, Blau said such an order is questionable. 

“I think it is an open question as to whether or not a governor can tie the hands of future governors as to whether or not somebody in custody can request a pardon,” Blau said. 

While Thursday’s commutation does not reflect any change in Jones’ guilt in the 1999 murder of Paul Howell, an official pardon would effectively throw out his 2002 murder conviction. 

“It seems, based on the law, that the only avenue Julius Jones has going forward for any type of relief would be to request a pardon,” Blau said.