Okla. court rejects request to remove duo from death penalty case

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Supreme Court has rejected a request to remove two members of the state’s Pardon and Parole Board from a high-profile death penalty case.

The court’s brief ruling on Friday

denied a prosecutor’s request to remove Adam Luck and Kelly Doyle from considering the commutation request of Julius Jones, who was sentenced to death for the 1999 killing of Edmond businessman Paul Howell.

The ruling came after a lawyer for District Attorney David Prater argued before a court referee that unless members Luck and Doyle were barred from taking part in the decision, the five-member board would likely recommend that Jones’ sentence be commuted following a hearing Monday.

Prater, who argued that Luck and Doyle have a conflict of interest because of their work with released inmates, said in a statement that he respects the high court’s decision.

Jones’ attorney, Michael Lieberman, said he is pleased the ruling came quickly.

The board could recommend downgrading Jones’ sentence, but Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt would make the final decision.

Jones, now 41, has maintained his innocence since his arrest and alleges he was framed. His case drew widespread attention after it was profiled in “The Last Defense,” a documentary produced by actress Viola Davis that aired in 2018. It has since drawn the attention of celebrities and athletes who have urged Stitt to commute Jones’ death sentence and spare his life.