“This governor has nothing to wish about, he has a call to make,” Cece Jones-Davis, director for the Justice for Julius campaign, told CNN in reference to stories that the governor had been in “deep prayer” concerning the determination.

“Governor, you continue to have an opportunity, you continue to have time,” she stated. “You will have time Gov. Stitt to get this proper.”

Jones, who is Black, was 19 years old when he was convicted of the 1999 murder of Paul Howell, who was white. Jones was a student-athlete on the College of Oklahoma on an instructional scholarship when he was thought-about to be the prime suspect within the killing of the 45-year-old businessman, who was shot in his 1997 GMC Suburban lower than 20 miles away from Jones’ dwelling. Jones’ dad and mom offered an alibi, assuring officers he was at dwelling on the time of the homicide.

Howell’s sister described the shooter as “a Black man sporting a stocking cap” with “half an inch of hair hanging out.” 

Three suspects interviewed by Edmonton Police on the time named Jones and a highschool basketball teammate, Christopher Jordan, because the alleged carjacking murderers.

According to the Justice for Julius petition, signed by over 6 million individuals, Jones’ co-defendant admitted to being concerned within the crime and is now free after testifying in opposition to Julius. He was heard bragging that he “set Julius up.” 

”Julius Jones is probably going harmless. One of many jurors used the N-word, saying, ‘They need to simply take the n***** out and shoot him behind the jail.’ One other juror reported what the person stated to the decide, however nothing was finished about it,” Dunham instructed Every day Kos.

Regardless of an underwhelming lack of proof and apparent racial bias, in 2002, Jones was convicted of first-degree homicide and sentenced to demise at simply 22 years previous.

An ABC documentary sequence titled The Last Defense spotlighted Jones’ case in 2018.

“I actually do not know what to say to him as a result of he has assured us he would make the choice swift,” Jones’ mom, Madeline Davis-Jones told Don Lemmon Wednesday night. “And if that is swift, we’re in bother once more.” 

At a information convention, Davis-Jones described her son’s demise as a lynching. 

“In the event you assume Julius is responsible, give him a good trial. Do it over once more, do it proper!” Davis-Jones stated as the gang erupted in applause. “If my youngster is executed tomorrow or any day, it ought to be surely. Not even slightly little bit of doubt.”

Stitt has refused thus far to fulfill with the Jones household.

Students across the Oklahoma City metro area walked out of class Wednesday and Thursday in assist of Jones and celebs comparable to Kim Kardashian, Mandy Patinkin, Kerry Washington, Browns quarterback Baker Mayfieldand Los Angeles Lakers star Russell Westbrook joined the worldwide outcry to cease Jones’ scheduled execution. 

“OKCPS helps our college students’ rights to peaceable meeting and their freedom of expression,” the district stated in a press release to CBS affiliate KWTV. “We now have labored carefully with college students and scholar teams who wished to meeting as we speak so we might present them with a secure house to specific themselves concerning a problem they’re obsessed with.”

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Rapper J. Cole stated Wednesday that he would name the governor and urge him to spare Jones’ life.

“The proof that this man is harmless is overwhelming. A lot in order that the state parole board really helpful to the governor that he not be executed,” the rapper tweeted. “With 1 day left of his life, the governor hasn’t acted.”

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Jones has maintained his innocence. 

Activist and rapper Jabee instructed a crowd gathered Wednesday evening that he’d spoken with Jones. 

“If these individuals kill me, ensure this doesn’t occur to anyone else.”

The Oklahoman reports that Pastor Larry Crudup led the group in a prayer. As these gathered braced themselves in opposition to the blistering chilly exterior the Oklahoma Historical past Middle, they bowed their heads. 

“No matter could come tomorrow,” Crudup stated, “we’re nonetheless going to advocate for peace—a peace that claims no extra will we stay underneath these circumstances.”