Emmanuel Littlejohn, convicted of a 1992 robbery in which a convenience store owner was shot and killed, is facing the possibility of execution in Oklahoma. Littlejohn has admitted to his role in the robbery but denies being the one to pull the trigger, claiming his accomplice was the shooter. The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board recommended clemency for Littlejohn due to unclear evidence in the case, but the state’s Attorney General is arguing against it. Littlejohn’s rough childhood, marked by exposure to violence and drugs, was highlighted during the clemency hearing, along with his positive transformation while in prison. Littlejohn has sought forgiveness from the victim’s family, but they are in favor of his execution. The clemency campaign for Littlejohn is led by anti-death penalty activist Rev. Jeff Hood. The movement for clemency for Littlejohn resembles that of Julius Jones, the only person to receive clemency since Governor Stitt lifted a moratorium on executions. Littlejohn’s case involves claims of prosecutorial misconduct, with his attorneys pointing out inconsistencies in the prosecution’s arguments. The execution of Littlejohn is part of a series that will see multiple inmates put to death in a short period, bringing attention to the ongoing debate over the death penalty in the United States.
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