Oklahoma Gov. Kevin State yesterday (Thursday) overturned the death sentence of Julius Jones, who was convicted of murdering a white businessman.
After an extensive and petitionful protest to the court claiming a cruel and unusual sentence, the governor converted the sentence to life imprisonment with no possibility of pardon.
As mentioned, Stitt's announcement came after Jones' supporters staged days of demonstrations ahead of his planned execution, which was scheduled to take place yesterday at McLeester Prison.
Jones, 41, has pleaded not guilty for more than two decades in the murder case of Paul Howell, a businessman in the Edmond suburb of Oklahoma City.
Just before the end: Oklahoma governor cancels execution of inmate convicted of murder // Credit: Reuters
"After reviewing the materials presented by all parties to this case, I have decided to convert Julius Jones' sentence to life imprisonment without the possibility of pardon," Stit said in a statement.
"I want to say thank you to our governor, thank you God, thank you Jesus," Jones' sister, Antoinette Jones, said moments after the announcement from the governor's office.
"I want to thank everyone who kept telling Julius' story. Thank you forever."
Protest for cancellation of Jones' death sentence, Photo: AP
Protest for cancellation of Jones' death sentence, Photo: Reuters