The case of Julius Jones, an inmate who escaped the lethal injection in the United States with the support of Kim Kardashian

His name could have become one more statistic in the death penalty records in the United States, but this Thursday Julius Jones, a black inmate accused of murder, was not executed in the state of Oklahoma and his sentence was changed. in extremis for life imprisonment.

The measure came after a feat that attracted celebrities and thousands of people – 6.5 million signatories on the Change.org platform, among others – who supported his plea for clemency.

The governor of Oklahoma, Kevin Stitt, issued an executive order on Thursday commuting the death penalty to life, although he vetoed the possibility of him achieving probation or granting him any other pardon or benefit from it. kind.

Who is Julius Jones?

Jones, now 41, was arrested at age 19 for the July 28, 1999, shooting murder of businessman Paul Howell during the theft of a vehicle in Edmond, a town near Oklahoma City.

The young man, then a recipient of a scholarship from the University of Oklahoma, was charged and sentenced to capital punishment, which has kept him on death row for more than two decades.

Jones’ case achieved notoriety in the United States thanks to “The Last Defense”, a series broadcast by the ABC network that sought to expose the flaws in American justice and had among its producers the actress Viola Davis.

Throughout three chapters issued in July 2018, the story of Jones was narrated, who has insisted on his innocence for years.

Questioned process

“Justice For Julius” became a cause embraced by family members and activists who have questioned the process against Jones.

Among the objections described by his defense in the petition for clemency and on the Change.org platform, they stand out, among others, that there are eyewitnesses who point out that Jones was at his parents’ house, that is, “miles away.” of the place at the time of the murder.

In addition, they indicate that another defendant for the murder, Christopher Jordan, allegedly “admitted to being involved in the crime” and is now free after spending fifteen years in jail.

Billy Bock, Jordan’s attorney, told ABC News that his client maintains that his role was to be “an accomplice” of Jones and denies having confessed to “anyone” his alleged guilt.

Another of the allegations of those who support Jones is that at least one member of the jury was “racially prejudiced” and that his defense attorneys were “inexperienced, overworked” and “under-resourced.”

Kim Kardashian, Aliada

One of the voices that have been raised in favor of Jones is that of Kim Kardashian, who has referred to her case on her Twitter account.

In the past, Kardashian has expressed to her millions of followers her concern about this man’s situation, and has even encouraged them to intercede with the Oklahoma Board of Pardons and Paroles and with the governor of that state.

“I am very grateful to everyone who used their voice and helped save Julius’s life today. Thanks to the parole board and Governor Stitt,” the celebrity wrote on the social network this Thursday.

In addition, Kim Kardashian has criticized on Twitter the “cold machinery of the death penalty in the United States.”

What does the victim’s family say?

On the contrary, the victim’s family has described the opinions surrounding the case as wrong.

“They want people to believe that Julius Jones is completely innocent, despite the overwhelming amount of evidence against him,” Rachel, daughter of the murdered businessman, told CNN television.

The woman even asked the Oklahoma Board of Pardons and Paroles to make a “fair and impartial decision”, although this instance finally recommended on November 1 to the governor of Oklahoma to pardon Jones. (I)