Browns quarterback reacts to pending execution of Oklahoma man

CLEVELAND — Cleveland Browns backmost Baker Mayfield got affectional Wednesday erstwhile helium addressed the pending execution of Julius Jones, an Oklahoma antheral connected decease enactment warring to beryllium his innocence successful a 1999 murder.

“It's a shame it's gotten this far,” Mayfield told a radical of reporters. “We're 24 hours away. It's tough. You know, hopefully, God tin intervene and grip it correctly and bash the things He needs to do."

Jones, 41, is presently connected decease row, serving clip for the 1999 sidesplitting of Paul Howell, who was changeable successful his family’s driveway aft a carjacking successful the affluent suburb of Edmond, Oklahoma.

Jones was a prima precocious schoolhouse jock and a pupil astatine the University of Oklahoma and had conscionable turned 19 erstwhile helium was arrested. Jones was named the premier fishy contempt his claims that helium was location playing games and eating meal with his family.

According to the Innocence Project, his ineligible squad failed to contiguous his alibi astatine his archetypal trial. His proceedings attorneys ne'er called Jones’ household to the stand.

Jones’ co-defendant, Christopher Jordan, is believed to person acceptable Jones up for the crime. After pleading guilty, helium served 15 years successful situation and is present free. Jones was sentenced to the decease punishment and 40 years.

Since his sentencing, Jones and supporters person agelong advocated that helium is innocent. His lawsuit garnered the attraction of Kim Kardashian, rapper J-Cole, and NBA stars, among others.

"We deliberation Julius was wrongfully convicted and that Oklahoma is astatine hazard of executing an guiltless man," Jones's attorney, Amanda Bass, told ABC News.

In June, Mayfield wrote a missive to Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and the parole board, asking to prevention Jones from execution.

The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board voted 3-1 earlier this period to urge clemency for Julius Jones. The committee besides recommended his condemnation beryllium commuted to beingness successful situation with the anticipation of parole.

The determination present lands connected Stitt's desk. Jones is scheduled to beryllium executed connected Nov. 18 unless Stitt decides to assistance him clemency.

Kaylyn Hlavaty and Camryn Justice astatine WEWS archetypal reported this story.