Who is Julius Jones? Five things about prisoners on death row

Julius Jones was sentenced to death in 2002 for killing a businessman, but his case has attracted renewed interest after Kim Kardashian publicly supported him and his alleged innocence. Here are five things about him.

Julius JonesThe 40-year-old has been on everyone’s lips for the past few months despite being convicted of the murder of a 45-year-old businessman Paul Howell 21 years ago and because of everything Kim Kardashian, 40. The attorney in training went to Twitter on March 1 to share an article from The front man on the Oklahoma prisoner’s story, including his alleged innocence, and told her followers that the “real killer” was “free”.

“Please read this story @readfrontier. The state of Oklahoma has compelling evidence that Julius Jones is innocent of the murder. In the meantime, the real killer is free and openly brags about killing a man and blaming Julius, ”she wrote in the headline of her tweet.

Please read this story from @readfrontier. The state of Oklahoma has compelling evidence that Julius Jones is innocent of the murder. Meanwhile, the real killer is free and openly brags about killing a man and blaming Julius. https://t.co/nw6MLx2Sa9

– Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) March 1, 2021

Here are five things you should know about Julius’ case and Kim’s support.

Julius was a 19-year-old student when the murder took place.

He was attending the University of Oklahoma and on the verge of a basketball scholarship when, according to Howell, he became the prime suspect in the Howell shooting OU daily. He was arrested in August 1999 and later convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death in 2002 when he was only 22 years old. He has been in jail ever since and continues to claim his innocence while waiting for his fate.

Why is Julius on death row?

Before Julius was arrested and charged, Howell was shot dead in 1997 in his GMC Suburban in Edmond, OK, less than 20 miles from Julius’ home. Powell’s sister described the shooter as “a black man wearing a stocking cap” with “half an inch of hair hanging out,” Julius’ lawyer Dale Baich told OU daily. Three suspects were interviewed and their statements prompted police to track down Edmond, Julius, and his high school basketball teammates Christopher Jordan than the alleged carjackers who murdered Powell.

Although there was reportedly a lack of evidence to link Julius directly to the murder, he was nonetheless sentenced to death row and 40 years in prison. He was the main state witness against him and his attorney said he was targeted by “self-proclaimed car thugs and a gang member”.

“We have serious concerns about the way the evidence was collected, processed and stored,” said Baich.

What happened to Julius’ co-defendant Christopher Jordan?

Christopher was supposed to spend 30 years in prison to receive his testimony after an agreement was reached, but went free after serving only half that time JusticeForJuliusJones.com. “In this and many other ways, Mr. Jones’ rights under the state and federal constitutions have been violated and his sentence and death sentence should be overturned,” the website said.

Christopher also admitted killing Howell and blaming Julius while in prison, an inmate named Roderick Wesleywho served with Christopher in an Arkansas prison, The front man reported. Roderick sent a series of letters and video interviews about admission to Julius’ lawyers trying to free Julius, or at least get him off death row.

When did Kim Kardashian get involved in Julius’ case?

Kim first mentioned Julius’ case and the petition for his release on Twitter in 2019. A year later, in November 2020, she visited Julius at Oklahoma State Prison. She took to Instagram to share photos from the Oklahoma visit and to let her followers know that she not only saw Julius but also spoke to his mother Madeline and his family in a Baptist church on the same day.

“It was an honor to sit on death row with Julius Jones in Oklahoma last week and then spend some time at church with his family,” she wrote in the caption for the photos. “Julius has been imprisoned for over 21 years for a crime he did not commit. The impact this has had on his family is truly unimaginable and I pray that the parole board will recommend his conversion because this man needs to be able to hug his parents again. #JusticeForJulius ”

“The last time Julius’ parents hugged him was when he was 19. That was 21 years ago,” she continued. “Julius Jones mother @ madelinejones48 should be able to hug her son. She is so strong and her beliefs and strength are so inspiring. We will not give up the fight to liberate Julius Jones! “

“Julius burst into tears when he talked about his sister Antoinette @sassysoulinc, he promised her he would take her to prom and because of false belief he couldn’t take her! “She added. “We have to get him out and plan the best prom ever !!! I am so grateful for the most supportive freedom fighters for Julius Jones. We won’t stop until we get justice. “

What did Julius do to get grace?

Julius petitioned for mercy in October 2019 after trying all possible ways to combat the death penalty. “Since God is my witness, I was in no way involved in the crimes that led to Paul Howell’s being shot,” read the report on his grace report OU daily. “I’ve spent the last 20 years on death row for a crime I didn’t commit, didn’t see, and didn’t take part in.”