Huffington Post: Reporter Jessica Schulberg: "Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) granted clemency on Thursday to Julius Jones, a man who was previously facing execution later that day as punishment for a murder he says he did not commit. Stitt’s decision came after the state’s Pardon and Parole Board twice recommended clemency for Jones, citing evidence of his innocence and his young age at the time of the crime. “Personally, I believe in death penalty cases there should be no doubts. And put simply, I have doubts about the case,” board Chairman Adam Luck said at Jones’ first clemency hearing in September. The Pardon and Parole board recommended Stitt commute Jones’ sentence to life with the possibility of parole — but on Thursday Stitt specifically blocked Jones from pursuing freedom through parole. “After prayerful consideration and reviewing materials presented by all sides of this case, I have determined to commute Julius Jones’ sentence to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole,” Stitt said in a statement. Stitt ordered that “Jones shall not be eligible to apply for or be considered for a commutation, pardon, or parole for the remainder of his life.” Although the Pardon and Parole Board made its recommendations on Sept. 13 and Nov. 1, Stitt waited until hours before Jones’ scheduled execution to announce his decision. The delay meant that Jones spent weeks on highly restrictive death watch, while he and his family waited to see if he would be allowed to live. ""
The entire story can be read at:
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/julius-jones-clemency-oklahoma-governor_n_618dba34e4b0b1aee9232158
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: I am monitoring this case/issue. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments. The Toronto Star, my previous employer for more than twenty incredible years, has put considerable effort into exposing the harm caused by Dr. Charles Smith and his protectors - and into pushing for reform of Ontario's forensic pediatric pathology system. The Star has a "topic" section which focuses on recent stories related to Dr. Charles Smith. It can be found at: http://www.thestar.com/topic/charlessmith. Information on "The Charles Smith Blog Award"- and its nomination process - can be found at: http://smithforensic.blogspot.com/2011/05/charles-smith-blog-award-nominations.html Please send any comments or information on other cases and issues of interest to the readers of this blog to: hlevy15@gmail.com. Harold Levy: Publisher: The Charles Smith Blog;
