Oklahoma Averts "Outrageous Miscarriage of Justice" with Commutation of Jones' Death Sentence
NEW YORK and OKLAHOMA CITY (November 18, 2021) – Oklahoma has averted an outrageous miscarriage of justice by calling off Julius Jones’ execution but has yet to address the shoddy defense and blatant racism that tainted conviction, leaders of the National Urban League and the Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City said today.
“It’s an enormous relief that Julius’ life has been spared, and a testament to the tireless determination of the many activists, advocates and ordinary citizens who refused to allow an unjust execution to move forward,” said Dr. Valerie Thompson, President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Oklahoma. “The fact remains that Julius still faces the rest of his life behind bars on a conviction that makes a travesty of justice.”
She and National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial thanked Governor Kevin Stitt for commuting Jones’ death sentence and urged him to address the flaws and racial bias that infected the case.
“Capital punishment has been unfairly administered throughout our nation’s history, but rarely in the post-Jim Crow-era has a juror so explicitly expressed such racial contempt and disregard for due process.”
Morial was referring to a juror’s statement during Jones’ 2002 trial, ‘“They should just take the [n-word] out and shoot him behind the jail.’’ The juror also called the trial “a waste of time.” Though the presiding judge was told about the comments at the time, he took no action and never told Jones’ lawyers. The arresting officer taunted Jones, “Run [n-word], I dare you.”
Furthermore, the prosecution’s case was riddled with inconsistencies and Jones was not provided with an adequate defense as required under law. The underfunded and inexperienced public defenders failed to cross-examine Jones’ co-defendant who matched the description given by the only eyewitness and made inconsistent statements to police and bragged to fellow inmates that he was giving false testimony.
DNA testing has raised even more doubt about the prosecution’s case.
“Governor Stitt has taken the first step toward justice for Julius,” Thompson said. “Now we must complete the journey.”