Oklahoma’s 1st executions set since 2015 include Julius Jones
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma scheduled its first executions Monday since the state put lethal injections on hold six years ago following a series of mishaps.
Included on the list seven executions is Julius Jones, whose case case was featured in 2018 on the ABC television documentary series “The Last Defense.”
The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals scheduled Jones to die Nov. 18 by lethal injection for the 1999 slaying of businessman Paul Howell, who was shot in front of his family during a carjacking. The court set the date despite a Sept. 13 recommendation by the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board that Jones’ death sentence be commuted to life imprisonment without parole.
The recommendation has received no decision by Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt, who must make the final decision.
Jones, 41, has consistently maintained that he is innocent of the killing.