Death Row Inmate Phillip Hancock Scheduled To Be Executed For 2001 Murders

Oklahoma death row inmate Philip Hancock is scheduled to be executed this week.

Hancock was convicted of killing Robert Jett and James Lynch back in 2001. Earlier this month the pardon and parole board recommended clemency.

The governor's office says it is reviewing the case and the recommendation. If a pardon is not granted Hancock will be executed Thursday.

Clemency Recommended For Death Row Inmate Phillip Hancock

On November 8, the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Boardclemency recommended clemency in a 3-2 vote.

Hancock and his lawyers went before the board to ask for his execution sentence to be pardoned. Hancock’s lawyers, alongside a few state lawmakers, presented what they called new evidence at today’s hearing in what they say supports his claim of self-defense.

They submitted a declaration from Hancock’s girlfriend at the time, Katherine Quick, who admitted that she had arranged with Jett to lure Hancock to his house to be “taken care of” because she was angry that Hancock disapproved of her drug use, according to a statement from Hancock’s attorney, Shawn Nolan. 

In the declaration, Quick said, “I should never have asked Bob to take care of Phil for me. I didn't mean to put Phil's life in danger, but I did. I wanted Bob to scare Phil, but I wasn't considering how volatile Bob could be.” 

She said she did not share this information until now because she was not mentally or emotionally capable of talking about it. 

“I didn't tell Phil's trial team because I was in denial about my role in all of it all,” Quick said. 

Hancock’s petition was also supported by a declaration of jury foreperson who says the jury should have heard evidence of Jett and Lynch’s gang status and violent reputations, according to a press release. 

The Board’s recommendation went to Governor Kevin Stitt for a final clemency decision.