Julius Jones: Unmaking a Murderer

In 1999, in the Oklahoma suburb of Edmond, local businessman Paul Howell took his two daughters shopping for school supplies and then to the Braum’s dairy for ice cream. The family didn’t realize it at the time, but as they left the Braum’s parking lot they were followed by two men in an Oldsmobile Cutlass. When Paul arrived at his parent’s home, one of the men got out of the car, walked to the driver’s side of Paul’s Suburban and shot him in the head killing him instantly (a little after 9:30 pm).
Paul’s sister, Megan Toby, quickly grabbed the children and rushed them into the house. As she did, she saw the man drive off in Paul’s Suburban, running over her brother’s body as he fled the scene.
It didn’t take long for investigators to single in on a local car thief named Julius Jones. Inside his home, police found the murder weapon and clothing that matched the shooter’s description. The evidence looked overwhelming, and the jury agreed. Jones was found guilty and sentenced to death for the murder of Paul Howell.
Since then, however, many have come to question Jones’s involvement. A movement has formed, led by lawyers, activists, and celebrities, to free Jones from prison. Tonight, we’ll discuss the murder of Paul Howell and whether the right man is behind bars.