Thank you for your interest in saving the life of Julius Jones, an innocent man on death row in Oklahoma. 

What started as a few men and women in Oklahoma, determined to shed light on Julius’ case, has now blossomed into a national movement. Today we have over 6 million signatures on Change.org supporting Julius. Over 71,000 letters have been sent to Oklahoma’s Pardon and Parole Board asking for Julius’ commutation (if you haven’t sent a letter yet, please click here to do so). The influential news show “20/20” aired a two-hour special documenting the incompetence, prosecutorial misconduct, and racism that defined Julius’ trial. And people all across the country – from Kim Kardashian-West to Russell Westbrook to everyday folks like you and me are talking about Julius Jones and what we can do to bring him home to his family.

Those conversations are having an impact. We now believe Julius Jones WILL be given a commutation hearing later this year. Between now and then, we have a lot of work to do. In the coming weeks, we will be sending out updates with news on Julius and his case, “Fact vs. Fiction” memos to set the record straight, and other content you can share and pass on to your friends and family.

We are excited that our first such update is a piece of great news. Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Dak Prescott has weighed in with an emotional, heartfelt letter to Gov. Kevin Stitt asking him to commute Julius’ sentence, and TIME.com has written a great piece on Dak’s involvement.

You can read Dak’s full letter below, and please be sure to share the TIME article (https://time.com/5875257/dak-prescott-dallas-cowboys-julius-jones/  on your social media channels and with friends and family.

Dear Governor Stitt and Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board Members,

I am writing to express my wholehearted support of Julius Jones’ commutation application.

As a black man in this country right now, I experience injustices firsthand day in and day out, even as an athlete with “celebrity status.” Current events are shining a much-needed light on deep-seated prejudices and systemic mistreatment of black people, and it is my sincere hope that the cultural movements of today will lead to significant social changes that will create a better tomorrow. To that end, you all are in the unique position of being able to make a direct impact by addressing a specific miscarriage of justice.

After reviewing the facts of the Julius Jones case, I firmly believe the wrong person is being punished for this terrible crime; furthermore, an evaluation of the process that led to Mr. Jones’ conviction raises serious legal and ethical concerns. I implore you to right this wrong. Please don’t let another innocent black man die from the systemic mistreatment that has plagued our nation for far too long.

It is my firm belief that Julius Jones’ conviction and death sentence is an egregious injustice. Mr. Jones has been on death row for 20 years, despite written affidavits from his trial lawyers describing the ways they failed him in court. Mr. Jones’ attorneys never presented the photo taken 9 days prior to the crime that could have provided clarity about the shooter’s description. They were appointed without having any experience in death penalty cases, and did not even present Mr. Jones’ alibi at trial. In addition, a member of the jury (comprised of 11 white members out of 12) has confirmed that the jury acted with racial animus – admitting that inappropriate and biased statements were made by other jurors during the trial, including the use of racial slurs.

The treatment of Julius Jones is the kind of miscarriage of justice African American men like myself live in fear of, and that is why I feel compelled to use the influence that God has blessed me with to speak up for what I believe is right and to give a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves. Julius Jones’ case is a clear example of what can happen to a person who cannot afford legal representation, and what can happen to a black person at any time in this country – which is exactly why so many are protesting for the changes we so desperately need. I ask for you to please do your part to help bring about this change by giving thoughtful and sincere consideration to your review of Julius Jones’ commutation application. My prayer is that he is able to salvage what remains of his life and that, through the righting of a decades-old wrong, he will be restored to his family soon.

Sincerely,

Rayne Dakota “Dak” Prescott
Dallas Cowboys