Hancock execution opponents hold vigil outside OSP

Nov. 30—A group gathered outside Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester early Thursday to protest the execution of Phillip Hancock.

During their peaceful protest, they awaited a decision from Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt after the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board recommended clemency Nov. 8 on a split 3-2 vote.

Hancock's supporters did not get the result they wanted as the execution was carried out after Stitt denied the clemency recommendation.

Hancock, 59, was sentenced to be executed after an Oklahoma City jury convicted him in the April 27, 2001 murders of Robert Jett Jr., 37, and James Lunch, 58.

Hancock and his attorneys maintained that Hancock acted in self defense. Prosecutors disagreed.

Those gathered outside OSP in opposition to Hancock's execution included District 19 State Rep. Justin "J.J." Humphrey, R-Lane, who spoke at Hancock's clemency hearing.

Humphrey said he is not opposed to the death penalty, but he maintained that Hancock had acted to defend himself.

"I sent the governor a message," Humphrey said before Stitt announced his decision. "It's a simple case of self-defense."

Humphrey maintained Hancock should never have been convicted in the first place.

"Do you have a right to defend yourself and save your life?"

A somber mood fell over the group outside the prison, who stood in an intermittent rainfall, when they learned that Stitt had denied clemency and that the execution was proceeding.

"The governor had an opportunity to do what's right," Humphrey said. "I'm disappointed he chose not to."

While 16 individuals gathered in opposition to the execution, they were joined by members of the media from as far away as Vermont and Boston, Massachusetts, along with an independent filmmaker from Brooklyn, New York.

Other media represented included the Christian Science Monitor.

None of Hancock's family were among those gathered outside the prison, but Alan Knight, who said he was a childhood friend of Hancock, joined the group.

As the minutes went by, Knight appeared less optimistic that Stitt would grant clemency.

"It all seems like a dream to me," Knight said. "I can't imagine him waiting this long and it being good news."

He said he and Hancock had grown up together.

"Phil was just a normal, very smart, generous guy," said Knight. He said Hancock's stepbrother had originally planned to come to with him, but Knight said it became too emotional, so he came alone.

Justin Jackson, another of Hancock's supporters, also attended the peaceful protests.

"I told the governor last night he's sending the wrong message to our state," Jackson said, referring to what he called the right to self defense.

"He did what he had to do," Jackson said of Hancock.

Jackson said he did not think Hancock's death will be in vain, because he predicted there will be changes made in how the death penalty is handled.

Father Bryan Brooks, of Tulsa, led a group that included Bishop Kelley High School students, in a prayer vigil. They stood in a circle and prayed for Hancock, the two men he was convicted of murdering and for OSP employees.

They also sang songs.

"You guys are pretty good singers," Brook told the assembled group, temporarily lightening the mood.

Bishop Kelley High School students who participated in the prayers and singing included sisters Veronica and Catherine Sousa, Arabela Denis and Erin Jolin.

Deb Malcom of the Church of St. Benedict and Father Phillip Griffith also joined the prayer circle.

Asked about her reason from traveling from Broken Arrow to McAlester to oppose the execution, Malcolm said part of the reason was to remember the man who was to be executed.

"If I was in Broken Arrow, I would be going about my day," she said.

Jennifer Harmon also joined those opposing the execution. She too, maintained Hancock should never have been convicted.

"We shouldn't be standing here, but yet we are," she said, citing her opposition to the death penalty.

Knight, Hancock's friend, was subdued when it became clear the execution would be carried out Thursday.

"Phil was a really good guy who got himself in a bad situation," said Knight.

Rep. Humphrey remained adamant that executing Hancock was a mistake that will have ramifications.

"If we use the death penalty when it's wrong, we won't be able to use it when it's right," he said.