WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Sojourners President and Founder, Rev. Jim Wallis, penned a letter to J. Kevin Stitt, Governor of Oklahoma, and members of the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board in support of Julius Jones, who is currently on death row. Jones, a former high school basketball state champion and star football player, was arrested and convicted for the murder of Paul Howell, and was sentenced to death. Jones has maintained his innocence – saying he was with family during the time of the murder – and his attorneys argue that systemic racism played a part in Jones’s conviction and death sentence.
“Given the risk of false testimony, the evidence of racism, and the finality of a death sentence, I pray you will commute the sentence of Julius Jones,” Rev. Jim Wallis wrote in the letter. “I do not believe justice has been served in this case, and it would be a tragedy for another innocent life to be lost due to a misapplication of justice.
As #BlackLivesMatter protests continue in cities all across the United States following the murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, Rev. Jim Wallis and Sojourners are standing with faith and community leaders, activists and celebrities in calling for justice on behalf of Julius Jones.
You can read the full-letter from Rev. Jim Wallis here.
For media inquiries, contact Meredith Brasher at mbrasher@sojo.net.
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