Episode 165: The Trial of Julius Jones
In July 1999, Paul Howell was murdered in front of his sister and two young daughters during a carjacking. When police tracked the vehicle, it led them to a gang affiliate who pointed a finger at the shooter. After a trial tainted with racial bias, under-resourced defense attorneys, and a prosecutor hell bent on securing an execution, the defendant was sentenced to death. But for decades he proclaimed his innocence and begged for his life. Did the jury convict the right man? This week’s episode is The Trial of Julius Jones.
SOURCES
The Last Defense, ABC 20/20 Special: https://www.hulu.com/watch/cf1e7026-0258-4448-8f38-8aa69c4cdeb2
Evidence, Justice for Paul Howell (Website): https://www.justiceforpaulhowell.com/evidence
Actual Innocence by Barry Scheck, Peter Neufeld, Jim Dwyer: https://www.amazon.com/Actual-Innocence-Execution-Dispatches-Convicted/dp/038549341X/
Alice Sebold apologizes to the man exonerated in the rape that her memoir focused on, NPR: https://www.npr.org/2021/11/30/1060202062/alice-sebold-apologizes-to-the-man-exonerated-for-the-rape-that-her-memoir-focus
From a murder charge to the governor granting clemency, a timeline of Julius Jones' case, The Oklahoman: https://www.oklahoman.com/story/entertainment/2021/03/08/julius-jones-timeline/336070007/
DNA Test Results on the Bandana: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5f03fd2dc0005a42542df324/t/5f3d59b5926705427b5e23f5/1597856189136/DNA+Test+Results.pdf
AG Hunter responds to claims made about DNA evidence in Julius Jones documentary, Oklahoma News 4: https://kfor.com/news/ag-hunter-responds-to-claims-made-about-dna-evidence-in-julius-jones-documentary/
DNA testing further incriminates Oklahoma death row inmate who claims innocence, The Oklahoman: https://www.oklahoman.com/article/5613472/dna-testing-further-incriminates-oklahoma-death-row-inmate-who-claims-innocence
Oklahoma governor commutes Julius Jones' death sentence hours before execution, ABC News: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/julius-jones-sentenced-reduced-oklahoma-kevin-stitt/
New evidence in death penalty case supports Julius Jones’ claims of innocence, Oklahoma City Sentinel: https://www.city-sentinel.com/news/new-evidence-in-death-penalty-case-supports-julius-jones-claims-of-innocence/article_909b4b25-9de7-51a1-a00f-0cf7ab2e5e92.html
Despite a Botched Execution and Concerns over Innocence, Oklahoma Prepares to Execute Julius Jones, The Intercept: https://theintercept.com/2021/11/14/oklahoma-death-penalty-julius-jones/
Op-Ed: Why Reasonable Doubt Should Free Julius Jones from Prison, Black Wall Street Times: https://theblackwallsttimes.com/2021/10/22/op-ed-why-reasonable-doubt-should-free-julius-jones-from-prison/
“It makes me angry,” Family of Paul Howell talk about public support for convicted killer Julius Jones, Oklahoma News Four: https://kfor.com/news/local/it-makes-me-angry-family-of-paul-howell-talk-about-public-support-for-convicted-killer-julius-jones/
Oklahoma panel recommends governor spare Julius Jones’ life, AP News: https://apnews.com/article/oklahoma-oklahoma-city-9ec7991f9945365fbab7a001ded5014c
EXPLAINER: Doubts raised as execution nears for Julius Jones, ABC News: https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/explainer-doubts-raised-execution-nears-julius-jones-81232979
Julius Jones Case Analysis | Innocent on Death Row?, Dr. Todd Grande: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oo8d4iqbRc&t=140s
Racism Tainted Julius Jones' Murder Conviction. He's Been on Death Row For 20 Years Anyway., Vice News: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Q3KFKy1Po0
After Racist Juror Busted, Black Man Still Facing Execution In Oklahoma, MSNBC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyQx3uBZx-4
Defense Team's Responses to the AG's Allegations: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5d4df5acea4f970001e70135/t/5f07a3c341ec760f8a500e45/1624376158884/Response+To+AG+Hunter%27s+Report
Jurors’ Use of N-Word Confronts Supreme Court Divided on Race, Bloomberg Law: https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/jurors-use-of-n-word-confronts-supreme-court-divided-on-race
Julius Jones with Kim Kardashian West, Wrongful Conviction Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4IeoKgeozT0wpwhIG9Cb2D?si=g2Z3UJWnTcWx8Uc_-r5U_Q
Petition for the Writ of Cert, SCOTUS: https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/18/18-7658/81798/20190125183108379_2019.01.25%20Petition.pdf
Julius Jones - Supreme Court Petition for Writ of Cert (Procedural History): https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docket/docketfiles/html/public/17-6943.html
Legal Proceedings, Justice for Julius: https://www.justiceforjuliusjones.com/legal-proceedings
'We will never give up that fight.' Julius Jones is off death row, but will he ever be free?, The Oklahoman: https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2021/11/20/julius-jones-oklahoma-execution-death-row-clemency-commutation-kevin-stitt/8689010002/
