The board’s fifth member, Robert Gilliland, resigned in January due to health issues and his vacancy has not yet been filled. īoard members Kelly Doyle, Larry Morris and Adam Luck voted to move the application forward, while Charles McCall cast the only no vote. The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board voted 3-1 Monday to advance death row inmate Julius Jones’ commutation request to a Stage Two Review, a more comprehensive hearing where new testimony and evidence may be introduced. What’s Next?īy Keaton Ross, Oklahoma Watch March 8, 2021 ![]() MaPardon and Parole Board Advances Julius Jones’ Commutation Application. ![]() Pardon and Parole Board Advances Julius Jones’ Commutation Application. Citing a previous opinion, Attorney General Hunter said inmates facing the death penalty may seek commutation in addition to a clemency hearing. Last June, the Pardon and Parole Board asked the state Attorney General’s office for a formal opinion on if death row inmates are eligible for commutation. Brad Henry granted clemency to death row inmate Kevin Young four weeks before his August 2008 execution date. Oklahoma death row inmates have historically sought relief through clemency hearings, which are scheduled after an execution date has been set. Jones has exhausted all of his appeals, meaning an execution date will likely be set if his commutation application is unsuccessful and the federal court sides with the state. During the ongoing litigation, the state has promised not to schedule or carry out any executions. The state is fighting a lawsuit in federal court, brought on by attorneys of death row inmates, that alleges the state’s death penalty protocol is unconstitutional. However, Attorney General Mike Hunter said during an interim study last October that the state is prepared to resume executions as soon as “early-to-mid 2021”. If Jones’ commutation application is rejected, a big question will be whether an execution date will be set? Due to concerns over the state’s lethal injection protocol, Oklahoma has not carried out an execution since 2015. What’s the status of the death penalty in Oklahoma? However, Stitt has not commented publicly on the Jones case. Are There Any Indications Whether Stitt Would Grant It?ĭuring his time as governor, Stitt has supported expanding the power of the Pardon and Parole board and has approved thousands of commutations, mostly for drug and property offenders. Kevin Stitt could overrule that decision and rule that Jones’ sentence be commuted to life in prison. For example, the board could recommend that Jones’ sentence be commuted and he be released from prison, but Gov. The board makes a recommendation on how the sentence should be modified, which the governor can accept, deny or modify. If Granted Commutation, Will Jones be Released From Prison? If no action is taken, the application is considered denied. The governor has 90 days to grant or deny the application. ![]() The state Pardon and Parole Board will forward its commutation recommendation to the governor’s office. What Happens if Jones’ Case Advances Past Stage 2? Pardon and Parole Board dockets and results can be viewed here. ![]() The COVID-19 pandemic and last month’s winter weather have caused some commutation hearings to be pushed back and could delay Jones’ placement on a Stage 2 Review Docket. What’s Next? - Oklahoma Watch Closeīy Keaton Ross When Will The Stage 2 Review Rake Place?
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