![]() ![]() More than 6.3 million people signed a petition requesting that Jones not be executed. But Jones’ support doesn’t end with celebrities. Stephen Curry and his coach Steve Kerr have also shown support for Julius Jones. 8:30 AM CT March to Evangelistic Baptist Church of Christ (across from Pardon and Parole Board meeting location) WATCH LIVE ON INSTAGRAM. His story was also featured on a podcast with Kim Kardashian and was mentioned on the ‘Late Late Show with James Corden. 8:00 AM CT Tabernacle Baptist Church - 1828 NE 36th St Oklahoma City, OK 73111. Jones has been featured in the first season of ‘The Last Defense,’ a documentary television series that explores injustices in the American justice system. Still for Jones’ supporter’s clemency doesn’t feel too satisfying for a man they believe should be free and enjoying his family. An Oklahoma governor has only granted clemency four times in the state’s history and has denied clemency more than nine times. In 2014, Christopher Jordan, the person driving the getaway car in Howell’s murder, admitted to shooting Howell and framing Jones, leaving many to believe Howell’s murder will never be solved.īut clemency in Oklahoma is rare and almost never granted. One of the jurors even alleges another juror called Jones the N-word and called for him to be lynched outside the courthouse. In 2002 a jury 12-person jury with only one black person found him guilty and sentenced him to death. Jones, who has spent the last 20 years on death row, was convicted and sentenced to the death penalty for the fatal shooting of Paul Howell, who was killed during a carjacking in 1999. The decision means Jones will not be executed but will have to spend the rest of his life in prison for a crime he still insists he did not commit. But the Pardon and Parole Board recommended the possibility of parole in a 3-1 vote. ![]() Stitt also ordered that Jones never be eligible to apply for or be considered for a commutation, pardon, or parole for the rest of his life. “So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.Jones’s sentence was reduced from the death penalty to life in prison. Like Madeline dancing for joy that her son’s life has been spared, we can rejoice that Jesus gave up his own life willingly for us while we were against him. Yet spiritually, do we trust in the finished work of Jesus on the cross? Time is running out and there is not another hearing before God (see Hebrews 9:27-28 and Acts 4:12). We may not be on death row or behind bars physically. ![]() Without further intervention, he will remain locked up for the rest of his life. “We’ve only just begun”, she said, as the family now turn their attention to continue the fight for justice. Julius has spent roughly half of his life behind bars. Madeline Davis-Jones, mother of Julius, praised God for the outcome and was filmed dancing with joy, surrounded by those who have tirelessly campaigned for her son’s life. When one person turns from their sin to Christ, there is much rejoicing in heaven (Luke 15:7). The penalty of sin is death and Jesus paid the price in our place. Through Jesus’ death on the cross in our place, we can have life and hope, both in this life and in the next. When we look to the cross, we see both justice and mercy on display. Julius’ case points us to our desperate need for hope in both life and death. He said with confidence and elation that he would see Julius tomorrow. On the news of Julius’s life being saved, the Justice for Julius Instagram account proclaimed:Ī post shared by Julius Jones advisor to Julius, Minister Keith Jossell was preparing to be with him in his final moments, and “ready to help escort him to the doorsteps of heaven.” After the verdict was delivered, he shared that Julius “has gone from death to life”. Facing national and international pressure, he reviewed material on both sides, and commuted the sentence to 'life imprisonment without the possibility of parole'. With just over four hours until the execution, Governor Stitt finally released his decision " after prayerful consideration”. Cece Jones-Davis said, “Where there is life, there is hope.” Founder of the Justice for Julius campaign Rev. Supporters rallied together in those final hours demonstrating their faith and hope. They held prayer vigils leading up to the planned execution and proclaimed “There is power in the name of Jesus to break every chain” outside Oklahoma State Penitentiary. Influencers from Kim Kardashian to TD Jakes have used their platforms to help, students participated in mass walkouts in support of Julius and the #JusticeforJulius hashtag on social media was used to generate awareness.įor the Jones family, faith in God has been central to their campaign. The plight of Julius Jones featured in a popular 2018 documentary series The Last Defense, and more than six million people signed a petition asking Governor Stitt to stop the execution. 25 years on from the Good Friday Agreement, the Church still has a vital role to play.Matt Redman: ‘Reverence in worship has become my lifelong pursuit’.Rev Les Isaac: ‘I get bored if I’m in church too much. ![]()
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