Prayer Vigils for Execution

On Thursday, November 18, 2021, Julius Jones, age 41, is scheduled to be executed for the 1999 murder of Paul Howell, age 45. He will be the second death row inmate to be executed this year. Jones’ case is the most high profile of several other death row inmates set to be executed in the coming months. He will be the 114th state inmate to be put to death since Oklahoma resumed capital punishment in 1990.

The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board voted twice to recommend clemency for Jones. The final decision of whether or not to commute his death sentence is now in the hands of Governor Kevin Stitt.

Barring Governor Stitt granting clemency or a court ordered stay, a prayer vigil in peaceful opposition to the execution will be held on November 18. It will begin at 3:00pm near the front gate of the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester, where the sentence will be carried out.

Prayers will be offered for Paul Howell, Julius Jones, their families and the correction officers taking part in the execution. People of all faiths are welcomed to participate in the vigil.

Other vigils are planned on November 18. They include;

• Oklahoma City – Holy Innocents’ Chapel, 6114 N.W. 63rd Street, at 3:00pm
• Stillwater – St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 711 North County Club Road, at 3:00pm

Anyone is welcome to participate in these vigils.