ProfD Posted November 19, 2021 Report Share Posted November 19, 2021 https://www.npr.org/2021/11/18/1056753071/activists-call-on-oklahoma-governor-to-stop-julius-jones-execution Apparently it doesn't happen too often in Oklahoma but a man hours away from the needle got a stay of execution from the governor. I didn't realize Oklahoma has the highest incarceration rate of AfroAmericans and a strong record when it comes to carrying out executions. My 1st thought is how or why a black person would live in, er, commit any crime in the state of Oklahoma knowing the chances of being locked up are guaranteed. Nonetheless, while the man's life has been spared, he will still spend the rest of it as Jay-Z rapped, locked up, behind bars. The family can also breathe a sigh of relief for their loved one knowing he's stilll alive and they can keep sending money for cookies and candy bars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mzuri Posted November 19, 2021 Report Share Posted November 19, 2021 13 hours ago, ProfD said: https://www.npr.org/2021/11/18/1056753071/activists-call-on-oklahoma-governor-to-stop-julius-jones-execution Apparently it doesn't happen too often in Oklahoma but a man hours away from the needle got a stay of execution from the governor. I didn't realize Oklahoma has the highest incarceration rate of AfroAmericans and a strong record when it comes to carrying out executions. My 1st thought is how or why a black person would live in, er, commit any crime in the state of Oklahoma knowing the chances of being locked up are guaranteed. Nonetheless, while the man's life has been spared, he will still spend the rest of it as Jay-Z rapped, locked up, behind bars. The family can also breathe a sigh of relief for their loved one knowing he's stilll alive and they can keep sending money for cookies and candy bars. ************************************************************************************ I am not familiar with this case, I just read about it a couple of days ago where Kim K was supposedly trying to save him. I also read that the condemned gentleman professes his innocence. Maybe that's why he got the reprieve, the Governor isn't sure he's really guilty. If a person is definitely guilty of a heinous crime, I believe they should be executed. But if there is doubt where guilt has not been proved, only circumstantial evidence is being used, or flakey eyewitness testimony, then it's better to let the prisoner live. Our judicial system is flawed, too many innocent people have been executed and that is horrible. ************************************************************************************ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfD Posted November 19, 2021 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2021 17 minutes ago, Mzuri said: Our judicial system is flawed, too many innocent people have been executed and that is horrible. Agreed. The system needs to be fixed before handing down capital punishment and prison sentences in general especially when disproportionately applied to people of color. Yesterday, they released a 75-year old man who was convicted as a juvenile but sentenced to life in prison. That man did 57 years in the penalty box. Hundreds of murderers have been convicted and released in that amount of time. It should not take the Innocence Project and celebrities to get wrongful convictions overturned. The Department of Justice needs to fix the broken system. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Posted November 19, 2021 Report Share Posted November 19, 2021 I thought it was unnecessarily torturous to wait until just a few hours before granting the stay. Imagine saying good bye to your family as you mentally prepare to be killed only to be told, at the last minute, that you will be locked up forever... I have not been following the case closely and know about it because, being in OK, it comes up from time to time. My understanding is that the guy did not do the murder and did not know it had been committed until after the fact. You don't have to pull the trigger to be convicted of murder. Often the one who actually committed the murder will be released from prison, while someone else who was present during, or involved with, the crime will be locked up much longer. Often this has more to do with the quality of representation rather than guilt. 53 minutes ago, Mzuri said: Our judicial system is flawed, too many innocent people have been executed and that is horrible. Yeah, and too many of these innocent victims are poor and Black. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfD Posted November 19, 2021 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2021 1 hour ago, Troy said: I have not been following the case closely and know about it because, being in OK, it comes up from time to time. My understanding is that the guy did not do the murder and did not know it had been committed until after the fact. Often this has more to do with the quality of representation rather than guilt. Yeah, and too many of these innocent victims are poor and Black. About 3 years ago, Viola Davis narrated "The Last Defense" which details the case. There's definitely room for doubt. Either way, as @Troy mentioned, representation makes a huge difference in criminal cases. Too many folks get imprisoned for being poor and black. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Posted November 19, 2021 Report Share Posted November 19, 2021 I'll check out The Last Defense -- Thanks 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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