Clemency recommended for death row inmate Emmanuel Littlejohn; decision now in governor's hands

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Death row inmate Emmanuel Littlejohn pleaded his case to the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board during his clemency hearing Wednesday morning. 

"I was a young man who was mad at the world,” said Littlejohn. “30 years later, I'm a new creature." 

Littlejohn is scheduled to be executed September 26, 2024. He’s spent the past 30 years on death row for the shooting death of convenience store manager, Kenny Meers. Meers was working at the Root-N-Scoot convenience store when he was shot and killed during a robbery in 1992.

Despite being convicted of first-degree murder, and owning up to his role in the robbery, for three decades Littlejohn has claimed he is not responsible for Meers’ death. 

"I committed a robbery that had devastating consequences,” said Littlejohn. “But I'll repeat, I did not kill Mr. Meers." 

He said his accomplice, Glenn Bethany, pulled the trigger. 

On Wednesday, the Meers family and the state urged the board to deny clemency, arguing Littlejohn has shown a lack of remorse and has a violent history. 

"I believe my mom died of a broken heart,” said Bill Meers, Kenny’s brother. “I cannot and will not forgive this man for carelessly deciding Kenny's life meant nothing."

Joshua Fanelli with the AG’s office added, “Littlejohn's selfish and manipulative behavior has made him a menace to society for years and it's time for him to pay the price." 

However, Littlejohn’s attorneys said the jurors in his resentencing trial in 2000 didn’t fully understand the sentencing option of life without parole. 

“We now have new evidence showing and reiterating this confusion which has gone unrebutted today,” said Callie Heller, one of Littlejohn’s attorneys. 

With clemency narrowly recommended by a 3-2 vote, the decision now rests in the hands of Governor Kevin Stitt. 

"He was young and foolish. He has grown up and older, and he deserves a chance,” said Ceily Mason, Littlejohn’s mother. “Keep on praying and hope everything works out…This is only the first step. Hopefully, God delivers." 

Attorney General Gentner Drummond weighed in on Wednesday’s vote with the following statement: 

“I am disappointed by the Pardon and Parole Board decision today but appreciate their thoughtful deliberation. I remain steadfast that the family of Kenny Meers has waited far too long for justice to be done. My office intends to make our case to the governor why there should not be clemency granted to this violent and manipulative killer."