Oklahoma board urges governor to commute death sentence

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma’s pardon and parole board is recommending the governor commute the death sentence of convicted killer Julius Jones. The five-member board voted 3-1 on Monday to recommend Jones’ sentence be commuted to life in prison. Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt will ultimately decide Jones’ fate. Jones has maintained his innocence in the 1999 shooting death of Edmond businessman Paul Howell. Jones’ case has drawn widespread attention after it was profiled in “The Last Defense,” a three-episode documentary produced by actress Viola Davis that aired on ABC in 2018.