Three men whose murder convictions and death sentences were tossed out after they were exonerated today spoke out in support of Julius Jones, an Oklahoman currently scheduled to be executed on October 28, 2021. They were joined by the sister of a Tulsa man, now deceased, who was also found to be innocent after being convicted of murder. The group is part of Witness to Innocence, a non-profit advocacy organization created by and for death row exonerees.

At a press conference held at the Oklahoma State Capitol, each speaker discussed their wrongful conviction and drew parallels to Mr. Jones’ case (download pictures of the press conference here).

Gary Drinkard, who spent six years on Alabama’s death row, said he was at home – injured and unable to move around – during the time of the murder for which he was convicted. Drinkard said his appointed lawyers had no experience trying criminal cases, did the bare minimum to defend his case, and failed to mention witnesses who corroborated his alibi.

“When I read about Julius Jones – who says he was at home with his family when the murder occurred – I can’t help but think of my case,” said Drinkard. “Julius never got to present his alibi, he was convicted based on incentivized testimony, and his attorneys were wholly unprepared.”

Juan Melendez, who was convicted of murder in Florida and sentenced to death, was released when a transcript was discovered of the real killer confessing to the murder. It was eventually discovered that the prosecutor had systematically withheld exculpatory evidence.

“In my case no justice could be served because the real killer was still out there,” said Melendez. “This could be what has happened in Julius’ case as well, and that’s why it’s so important that we demand the truth and demand total transparency from the district attorney.”

Herman Lindsey spent three years on Florida’s death row after a wrongful conviction in 2006 for a crime which had happened in 1994. In 2009, Herman was exonerated after the Florida Supreme Court ruled unanimously that he had not received a fair trial and there wasn’t enough evidence to find him guilty of anything, much less sentence him to death. The chief justice also stated that the prosecutor asked questions during the penalty phase of the trial “that were not only improper but were also prejudicial and made with the apparent goal of inflaming the jury.”

Lindsey said he believes race played a major role in Mr. Jones’ conviction. “In my case they just needed a conviction and I was an easy target to pin it on,” said Lindsey. “Unfortunately, that happens far too often. Official misconduct is the top cause of wrongful convictions in capital cases. If Oklahoma’s Pardon and Parole Board and Governor Stitt do not do something to stop it, Julius Jones could be another innocent Black man killed by state violence.”

After the press conference, the group delivered a letter in support of Jones and his commutation application to the office of Governor Kevin Stitt.