When the Warriors were in Oklahoma City last week on a road trip, the team invited family members of Julius Darius Jones to the game. Jones is on Oklahoma’s death row after being convicted to first-degree murder in 2002, though has maintained his innocence over the past 19 years.
His case drew the attention of Golden State star Steph Curry, who held a postgame phone call with Jones in OKC last week, and coach Steve Kerr.
By a 3-1 vote Monday, the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board recommended clemency and to commute Jones’ life sentence with a possibility for parole, 17 days before his scheduled execution.
According to Dillon Richards of KOCO News, Jones’ fate now rests in the hands of Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt. Richards shared a statement from Stitt’s office on Monday afternoon, which said, “Governor Stitt is aware of the Pardon and Parole Board’s vote today. Our office will not offer further comment until the Governor has made a final decision.”
Richards also shared comment from Jones’ attorney.
Here is a statement from Jones' attorney pic.twitter.com/rk1KX6eDS5
— Dillon Richards (@KOCODillon) November 1, 2021
Curry met Jones’ family following last week’s game before chatting with Jones for a few minutes over the phone.
“I got goosebumps right now,” Curry said after the game. “I come out of a basketball game, and you’re celebrating a win in the locker room, and then you’re like, what’s it like in his shoes right now. Kind of checks you a little bit and gives you appreciation for the blessings in your life and the work that needs to be done.”
Curry said he hopes to meet Jones one day, and that he’d like to meet Jones’ parents as well.
“You can tell how selfless he is throughout this whole situation and what he’s been through the past two decades,” Curry said. “Pretty moving.”
