You probably have seen the news.
Governor Stitt released the following statement regarding his decision:
“After prayerful consideration and reviewing materials presented by all sides of this case, I have determined to commute Julius Jones’ sentence to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.”
Article 6, Section 10 of the Oklahoma Constitution gives the Governor power to grant commutations “upon such conditions and with such restrictions and limitations as the Governor may deem proper.”
Pursuant to that provision, the Governor has ordered that Jones shall not be eligible to apply for or be considered for a commutation, pardon, or parole for the remainder of his life.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Off topic but about Oklahoma, justice and equality.
The University of Oklahoma (public) is the largest university in the state. Until three years ago, OU’s associate dean for academic affairs and associate director of the law school was Prof. Brian McCall who is currently a law professor at the school. OU Daily described (10-1-2018) the contents of a 2014 book written by McCall. The excerpts cited include, “The US Constitution is a product of the errors of Enlightenment Liberalism…. (btw- he’s a Yale grad) the most deadly virus is sovereignty that comes from the people…the only sovereign in any political system is Christ the King.” He was editor of a site and has contributed to sites that the SPLC describes as anti-Semitic. As could be anticipated, he wrote, “divine and natural law will always outweigh human laws”. He’s against homosexuality and knows what women should wear to “encapsulate their modest restraint”, skirts because they don’t show women’s curves. Men should wear attire that conforms with their authority. In conclusion of this summary of his views, “The only solution to the ills of modern government- Catholicism.” In terms of education, he has disdain for thinking for yourself.
I learned about OU’s associate dean while doing a search about Paul Cozar, the AZ. GOP congressman censured today. All Dems regardless of faith voted against him for an anime he posted of himself killing AOC. All but 2 of the GOP, irrespective of faith, voted against his censure. On May 1, 2019, the Congressman retweeted a Hill article about opposition to Pope Francis because of alleged heresy. McCall was one of the signees of the public letter critical of Pope Francis. The AZ. Congressman added to his “The Hill” retweet, “I’m a proud Catholic Christian. I objected to the Pope’s cultural Marxism years ago as inconsistent with Christianity and his obsession with leftist politics. I want Bible based theology from the Pope not trendy socialism. I am no longer alone.” One objection in the public letter signed by McCall, is the Pope’s statement that religious pluralism is willed by God.
For those who are concerned about QAnon but, dismissive of right wing religion which includes two sects made up in part of frequent worship attendees who are White, voting GOP, at rates between 60-80%,…
consideration of the voters’ geographic distribution in electoral vote-rich states…
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Neither Diane’s post (life without parole?!) nor your introduction of McCall increased the cheerfulness of this Thursday.
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Thanks for reading the synopsis.
The midwest had sun today as a mitigating factor to the dismal news.
I hope that your tomorrow is better.
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Stitt is a man who cannot admit he is wrong. Life without parole when another person has admitted to committing the crime.
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insane
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What would you have Stitt do?
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Christine, Is this really true that somebody admitted to commit the crime?
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“Jailhouse confession,” I understand. That is, an alleged confession to another inmate, who then brings that information to the government. Many view jailhouse confessions with suspicion because they’re often brought to authorities by inmates looking to trade information for a commutation of their own sentence. I don’t know whether that’s the case or not here, but essentially the confession is an allegation, not a known fact.
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Prayerful Consideration*
I prayed to God
To give a sign
And lightning bolt
Was quite divine
It made it clear
The man should pay
Electric chair
Should be the way
*Implies it could go either way
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I prayed to God
To give a sign
And burning cross
Was quite divine
It made it clear
The man should pay
And flaming pyre
Should be the way
I prayed to God
To give a sign
And hanging branch
Was quite divine
It made it clear
The man should pay
And gallows pier
Should be the way
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I prayed to God
To give a sign
And drive-by shot
Was quite divine
It gave the nod
The man should pay
And firing squad
Should be the way
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I prayed to God
To send a sign
His only son
Was quite divine
But that was oh
So long ago
And signs grow old
Inapt, you know
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The advice you get probably depends on which God you pray to, the eye for an eye one of the Old Testament or the one of the New Testament.
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Can we ask God to codify his laws and punishments for contemporary America, in a format that we can all access? Since so many judges and governors assign him the role of SCOTUS, it would be helpful.
Wait…. why doesn’t God set free and administer punishment himself….wait, never mind…that wouldn’t go well for women and probably not for POC, given historical interpretations of his will.
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“God is pro choice”
If God made choice
Then woman’s voice
Would final be
Cuz God’s a she
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Poet-
When I learned about the hashtag #Bang for Ed Bucks (AEI’s promotion of cost cutting in public schools), I thought to myself that you would have a field day with the innuendo.
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