“With less than 48 hours remaining until Oklahoma’s scheduled execution of Julius Jones, Gov. Kevin Stitt has yet to announce whether he’ll grant executive clemency to the condemned man.

“Stitt can accept, modify or reject the state Pardon and Parole Board’s recommendation that Jones’ sentence be modified to life in prison.

“The U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Criminal Appeals denied an execution stay request from Jones and three other death row prisoners on Friday, leaving the decision in Stitt’s hands.

“Jones, who was convicted of murdering Edmond businessman Paul Howell in 1999, is scheduled to be executed at 4 p.m. Thursday at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester.

“He maintains his innocence. The Howell family argues the evidence is overwhelming and Jones’ execution should be carried out.”

Read more at Oklahoma Watch