Warriors’ Kerr, Curry join calls to support Oklahoma man set for November execution
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Warriors did more than play basketball on their first visit to the Sooner State this season.
Coach Steve Kerr and superstar Stephen Curry each posted messages in support of Julius Darius Jones, a man sentenced to death in Oklahoma almost 20 years ago, whom advocates say was wrongly convicted. A parole board was set to hear Jones’ appeal Tuesday but the clemency hearing was delayed until Nov. 1.
Kerr sported a “Justice for Julius” shirt and put his arm around Jones’ sister, Antoinette, as he spoke on video in support of the case.
“This is Steve Kerr, and I’m calling for justice for Julius Jones,” he said.
Many thanks to @warriors @SteveKerr taking time to meet with Julius’s sister Antoinette + @justice4julius campaign and lend his support to #FreeJuliusJones. Help us call @GovStitt and request he honor the ruling of the parole and pardon board and commute his sentence pic.twitter.com/jLcN4TWp0L
— Michael McBride (@impastormike_) October 26, 2021
Curry was captured on video Monday night expressing his support.
“I stand with Julius, the whole family and pray that justice is served for our brother and that he’s a free man soon,” Curry said.
Shout out to @TiffanyCrutcher
for connecting with @StephenCurry30 in OKC and bringing him up to speed on #justiceforjuliusWe appreciate the support, Steph! pic.twitter.com/J6eZQh6j4z
— Justice for Julius (@justice4julius) October 26, 2021
Jones, 39, has spent half his life in prison after he was convicted in 2002 of first-degree murder for a slaying in which Jones has maintained he had no part.
Last year, Baker Mayfield, Russell Westbrook, Trae Young, Blake Griffin and Dak Prescott all spoke up in support of Jones, and a petition on behalf of his innocence has garnered more than 6.4 million signatures.
In September, the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board voted to recommend his sentence be commuted to life in prison with the possibility of parole, but Gov. Kevin Stitt refused to make a final decision on the case until Jones’ clemency hearing, which was pushed back this week.
Oklahoma has executed more people than all but two states since 1976, despite putting a pause on all lethal injections since 2015, after a series of botched killings. However, the state was set to resume the use of capital punishment this year.
Jones’ execution is still scheduled for Nov. 18.