Oklahoma parole board advises governor to commute death row inmate’s sentence

Oklahoma’s Pardon and Parole Board voted 3-2 to recommend sparing the life of Emmanuel Littlejohn, a man on death row for involvement in the 1992 shooting death of a convenience store owner during a robbery. The decision now awaits action from Governor Kevin Stitt, who has the authority to commute the sentence to life in prison without parole. This situation echoes a recent case where Gov. Stitt granted clemency to Julius Jones, changing his sentence to life without parole shortly before his scheduled execution last year. However, in three other cases, including Bigler Stouffer, James Coddington, and Phillip Hancock, the governor did not adopt the clemency recommendations and the individuals were executed.

Following the board’s vote, Littlejohn’s sister expressed determination, pleading for her brother’s life and portraying him in a different light from how he has been depicted. Governor Stitt’s office did not immediately respond to the recent decision, highlighting the importance of discussions with all relevant parties and considerations before deciding on clemency matters. Littlejohn’s criminal history and his involvement in the tragic incident where Kenneth Meers, a store co-owner, lost his life were revisited during the recent hearing.

Prosecutors maintained that Littlejohn, along with Glenn Bethany, committed the robbery to settle a drug debt, resulting in Meers’ death. Witnesses identified Littlejohn as the shooter, leading to his death sentence by two separate juries. Bethany, on the other hand, received a life sentence without parole. Although Littlejohn admitted to participating in the robbery, he denied being the one who fired the fatal shot, emphasizing that his execution would not serve justice or benefit anyone.

Littlejohn’s legal team argued that cases involving robbery-related killings rarely lead to the death penalty in Oklahoma today and suggested that prosecutions in similar circumstances might not merit capital punishment. Littlejohn’s defense highlighted the evolution in sentencing practices over the years and raised concerns about the inconsistencies in the case, especially regarding the shooter’s identity and the implications of a life-without-parole sentence. The defense also questioned the justice in executing a person based on inconclusive evidence and shifting narratives during legal proceedings.

Altogether, the decision on Littlejohn’s fate now lies with Governor Stitt, who plays a pivotal role in determining whether the death row inmate’s sentence will be commuted or upheld. The discourse surrounding clemency cases like Littlejohn’s underscores the complexity and gravity of decisions involving life and death, evoking important questions about fairness and justice within the legal system.