![]() Rejecting appeals from religious leaders, former prosecutors, and even judges and jurors, governors now jealously guard their clemency power and exercise it sparingly.Īdvocates of what might be called a “retributive” theory of clemency have carried the day in persuading governors and presidents that, as Kathleen Dean Moore puts it, “The only good and sufficient reason for pardoning a felon is that justice is better served by pardoning than by punishing in this particular case.” Clemency is a “backup system that works outside the rules to correct mistakes….” This represents a radical shift from several decades ago, when governors granted clemency in 20 to 25 percent of the capital cases they reviewed. He says that he has been rehabilitated and that he is a changed person.Ĭoddington’s plea for clemency is an important one for death penalty opponents who have had little success in persuading governors and presidents to be merciful in capital cases.Īccording to the Death Penalty Information Center, since the start of 2010 only 49 death-row inmates have been pardoned or had their sentences commuted. Coddington accepts responsibility for his crime and contends that he is genuinely remorseful. ![]() His case for clemency is straightforward but controversial. He was convicted of murdering his friend Albert Hale during a 1997 drug-inspired robbery.Ĭoddington has filed a clemency petition with the Oklahoma Board of Pardons and Paroles, which on Tuesday will hold a hearing on his request. If the latter, Jones’ sentence will be commuted to life in prison with the possibility of parole.Oklahoma plans to execute James Coddington on August 25, the first of 25 people the state hopes to put to death over the next 29 months. It is now up to Stitt whether Jones is put to death or gets clemency. They have found no claim which necessitated the granting of relief.” “The courts have heard multiple appeals in multiple forms and at multiple levels from Julius Jones. “For the past twenty-one years, both the state and federal judicial system have been involved in scrutinizing this case,” the website says. Because Jones’ case has received so much publicity and support, the family has set up its own Justice for Paul Howell website. Relatives of the victim, Paul Howell, however, remain convinced of Jones’ guilt. Julius Jones,” wrote Stavros Lambrinidis, the EU Ambassador to the US. “We respectfully urge you to exercise all powers vested in your office to grant clemency to Mr. Support for Jones has also gone international, with representatives from the European Union writing letters to the Oklahoma governor. Share #JuliusJones story and tweet at to ask him to release this innocent man,” Washington tweeted. Reality TV star Kim Kardashian - who has long advocated against Jones’ death sentence - actors Kerry Washington and Mandy Patinkin, professional athletes including Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield and others, have been using their voice in calling for the governor to spare Jones. Celebrities have also joined in the effort in urging Gov. The case has garnered much attention, in part due to the 2018 ABC documentary series “The Last Defense,” which spotlighted it. The clemency petition says he’s been on death row because of “fundamental breakdowns in the system tasked with deciding” his guilt, including ineffective and inexperienced defense attorneys, racial bias among his jury and alleged prosecutorial misconduct. More than 6 million people have signed a Justice for Julius petition against Jones’ execution. Jones, his attorneys and advocates say he is innocent. ![]() Jones has been on death row for nearly 20 years after he was sentenced for the 1999 murder of Paul Howell, who was shot in a carjacking as he pulled into his parents’ driveway with his adult sister and two daughters. Wednesday’s news conference follows years of protest against Jones’ death sentence. Stitt to get this right.”ĬNN has reached out to Gov. ![]() “Governor, you still have a chance, you still have time. ![]() “This governor has nothing to pray about, he has a decision to make,” Jones-Davis said. ![]()
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