Victim Advocacy Group Concerned With Pardon & Parole Board Decisions

Members of a new advocacy group, “Victims Innocence Project,” will hold a press conference Wednesday at the state capitol. 

The group will talk about recent post-litigation activism and what they believe are questionable decisions by the Pardon & Parole Board. 

In a Tweet, the group said, "The victims of Oklahoma will NOT be silenced by propaganda, intimidation, politics, false allegations of racism or biased pardon and parole board members. Enough is enough. It’s time to hold our state employees and officials accountable. See Ya tomorrow." 

Almost two weeks ago, Governor Kevin Stitt granted clemency to death row inmate Julius Jones, allowing him to spend the rest of his life in jail.  He was convicted of the 1999 murder of Paul Howell. 

Howell’s family said they felt “re-victimized” as Jones’ case gained national attention. 

Advocates for the Howell family, like Jennifer Harmon, have expressed concern about the decision. 

"The more people that read the case files and they come out and they come to understand that we are not just talking about Julius Jones we are talking about what has turned into a public safety crisis," said Harmon. 

A family friend of the Howell family said the family is in full support of the group, but they will not be able to make it to the press conference today. 

The press conference will be held on the 2nd floor of the capitol Wednesday at 1 p.m.