The Late Pastor Reed urged Gov. to stop Emmanuel Littlejohn execution

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla.–With less than two days before the state of Oklahoma executes Emmanuel Littlejohn, a letter written by OKC’s late Rev. Dr. John A. Reed Jr., known locally as “Pop Reed”, has been sent to the Governor’s Office asking him to commute the sentence.

The longtime religious and civil rights leader served for more than 61 years as Pastor of Fairview Missionary Baptist Church in OKC.

“As a pastor and a servant of the Lord, I have dedicated my life to guiding my community with the principles of justice and grace,” Pastor Reed Jr. wrote in a letter dated August 16, just 10 days before his death. It was sent to Gov. Stitt Monday by Rev. Jon Middendorf, after receiving family approval.

“It is with these principles in mind that I urge you to reconsider the decision to execute Mr. Littlejohn and to grant him clemency,” the late Rev. Dr. Reed Jr. wrote.

Beloved late Pastor Reed wanted Gov. Stitt to show mercy to Emmanuel Littlejohn

Emmanuel Littlejohn, 52, faces execution Thursday morning at 10 a.m. for a deadly 1992 robbery. He maintains he wasn’t the person who shot southeast OKC Root-N-Scoot store owner Kenneth Meers during the robbery. His co-defendant, Glenn Bethany, is serving life without parole.

The victim’s family said Meers’ killing forever changed their lives. “Everything in our lives was affected and cannot and will not forgive this man for carelessly deciding Kenny’s life meant nothing,” Bill Meers said.

Yet no physical evidence has tied Littlejohn to the being the shooter.

“Is it justice for a man to be executed for an act that prosecutors argued another man committed when the evidence of guilt is inconclusive?” Assistant Federal Public Defender Callie Heller asked during his clemency hearing on August 7.

The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board recommending clemency in a 3-2 vote. Yet Gov. Stitt has refused to say whether he will stop Thursday’s execution.

“Emmanuel Littlejohn’s case presents significant concerns that challenge the justness of the ultimate punishment,” Pastor Reed Jr. stated in his letter to the Governor.

“Since his conviction, new information has come to light, raising serious questions about the fairness of his trial and the adequacy of his legal representation. As someone who has seen firsthand the transformative power of grace and forgiveness, I ask that you consider the possibility of redemption in Mr. Littlejohn’s life.”

Oklahomans wait for Governor’s decision

Stitt has ignored three past recommendations for clemency, and he’s only granted a commuted sentence once in 2021. It came four hours before the planned lethal injection of Julius Jones and followed months of statewide protests.

“I know that he’s a good man. I pray that you would please save my life,” Emmanuel Littlejohn stated in a recording shared by Death Penalty Action, an anti-death penalty group that has placed billboards up across OKC urging Stitt to stop his execution.

“Governor, please think about it. Please save my child,” Ceily Mason, Littlejohn’s mother, stated in a similar recording.

In a message to the Black Wall Street Times Monday, the same day Rev. Dr. Reed Jr.’s letter was sent, Gov. Stitt’s press secretary reiterated his past stance of not making a public decision before the execution date.

“Governor Stitt has met with those involved in the case, including family members, prosecutors, victims, and the defense. The Governor has not reached a decision in this case yet, and he continues to prayerfully and carefully considers the facts, evidence, and recommendations from the Pardon and Parole Board,” the Governor’s press secretary Meyer Siegfried stated via email.

Gov. Stitt has approved the execution of 13 people since a moratorium on executions in Oklahoma was lifted in 2021. Meanwhile, calls for a moratorium on state executions are growing in the Oklahoma Legislature. A bill that would’ve enacted a moratorium failed to reach the House floor for a vote last session.

Full letter from Pastor Reed

In his letter, Rev. Dr. John Reed Jr. to consider mercy over state-sanctioned murder.

“Governor Stitt, I do not write to you lightly, nor do I seek to diminish the pain that has been caused by Mr. Littlejohn’s actions. Rather, I ask you to consider the full measure of justice, and to weigh the potential for transformation against the finality of execution,” Pastor Reed wrote.

Ultimately, it’s unclear whether Gov. Stitt will lead in the spirit of violent retribution found in the Old Testament or the spirit of mercy, grace and redemption found in the New Testament.

“Emmanuel… How can I say it? Killing my son, you’d be killing me too. I wasn’t a good mother. God gave me a second chance. Give my son a second chance, please,” Mason said.

Read Pastor Reed’s full letter below:

Correction: Gov. Stitt has approved the executions of 13 people since 2021, not 11.