Julius Darius Jones Story: Oklahoma, Case, Released, Execution Date, OKC, Death Row

Julius Darius Jones Story: Oklahoma, Case, Released, Execution Date, OKC, NFL, Death Row

Julius Darius Jones was born on November 10, 1949, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. His father was a musician and he spent most of his childhood living just outside of Memphis, Tennessee. He played football for the University of Arkansas before being drafted by the NFL.

Jones suffered from depression after being released from the NFL due to racial discrimination. Soon after, he became addicted to drugs and alcohol.

He would spend most of his time drinking at the club until the wee hours of the morning. He would then roam around downtown Oklahoma City until he met with an acquaintance who had a gun and they robbed a few establishments together. On April 1st, 1977 Jones shot and killed security guard Robert Latta Jr.

Julius Darius Jones Story: Oklahoma, Case, Released, Execution Date, OKC, Death Row

Section 1: A brief background on Julius Darius Jones story

Section 2: Timeline of events leading up to the life and death of Julius Darius Jones

Section 3: The entire life of Julius Darius Jones and the events leading up to the death of Julius Darius Jones.

Section 4: The actual story of the murder of Julius Darius Jones.

Watch the full documentary “Why Am I Being Executed?” (2:02:24), and learn about the case of Julius Darius Jones.

Oklahoma, Case, Released, Execution Date, OKC, Documentary, NFL

After this, Jones fled the country. He was apprehended a few months later in Mexico and held at the police station there. After being released for questioning, Jones was then asked to stand up in front of a group of people who were going to be released and shot. Jones did not care at all about the policy of shooting a person in front of people.

Jones had an accomplice who was named Isaac Newton Sawyer. Sawyer and Jones were apprehended in Georgia and charged with first-degree murder, armed robbery, and possession of stolen firearms.

On July 19, 1978, Jones was executed. The execution of this man helped spark the debate of capital punishment and racial discrimination.

Case

This case is interesting because a lot of what is being said about it sounds like a thriller.

Depression after being released from the NFL

Jones wanted to make money, but no one would hire him and he would end up robbing bars and hotels while drunk. In 1977 he was indicted for three robberies, including the one that led to the shooting death of Latta. He was sentenced to life in prison.

Life behind bars

Jones served 23 years of a life sentence for the Latta murder until parole was granted. He decided to go straight in 1982 and focused on becoming a productive member of society. He enrolled in counselling, drug counselling, anger management, and alcohol counselling, all while continuing to work at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary.

He stayed on parole for 11 years after his release and had a steady job and enrolled in college at Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

Addiction to Drugs and Alcohol

Jones would eventually spend time behind bars after the shooting. During the 1980’s he spent three years in a Mexican prison and during the 1990’s he was convicted of armed robbery.

His next time in the court of the law came when he was arrested for the murder of Tulsa police officer Robert S. Johnson.

In April 1999, Jones was found guilty of killing Johnson and was sentenced to death.

Julius Darius Jones Execution Date: April 8, 1999

On April 8th, 1999, Jones was executed by lethal injection. During the execution, he reportedly muttered to a prison staffer “you fucking cracker” and said that “I am not a good man, but I am not a bad man” before saying the phrase “goodbye, my dear friends.”

A Pre-execution Show of Support

Jones would be executed on April 8th, 1999.

Robbery with a gun

Sometime before this incident, he had met with an acquaintance who showed him a loaded shotgun and handed him the barrel. It was not long before he decided to go on a robbery spree.

He was able to free an accomplice, John Anthony Gilchrist, but was still alone when he went to rob the Coast to Coast Cigar and Wine store.

Jones held the employees at gunpoint demanding money and cigarettes, then he shot and killed the night clerk on duty and shot at the salesman who was on the phone. They made off with $220.

Alone

Jones was then arrested by Oklahoma City police and charged with killing the night clerk. He claimed he didn't know why he had done it.

Jones was also indicted in connection with a series of armed robberies at liquor stores around Oklahoma City.

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Julius Darius Jones Story: Oklahoma, Case, Released, Execution Date, OKC, NFL, Death Row