In brief
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has granted clemency to Tremane Wood, commuting his death sentence to life imprisonment without parole. This decision reflects a recommendation made by the Pardon and Parole Board. Tremane Wood was convicted for his role in a fatal stabbing during a robbery in 2002. While the governor defended his decision as fair retribution for a violent crime, it has drawn criticism from the state's Attorney General, who expressed disappointment in the commutation.
McALESTER, Okla. (AP) — In a significant decision, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has commuted the death sentence of Tremane Wood to life in prison without the possibility of parole. This decision comes just before Wood was set to face lethal injection on Thursday.
Stitt's formal clemency grant to Wood, 46, follows a lengthy review process that involved the recommendation of the Pardon and Parole Board. Wood had been sentenced for his involvement in the stabbing death of Ronnie Wipf, a 19-year-old migrant farmworker, during a failed robbery at a hotel in 2002. This marks only the second time Stitt has granted clemency in nearly seven years as governor.
“After a thorough review of the facts and prayerful consideration, I have chosen to accept the Pardon and Parole Board’s recommendation to commute Tremane Wood’s sentence to life without parole,” Stitt said in his announcement.
The commutation means that Wood will spend the rest of his life in prison without the chance for parole. The governor emphasized that this action reflects the same punishment that Wood's brother received for the murder they committed together, ultimately seeking to keep a violent offender off the streets permanently.
Stitt had previously granted clemency to another death row inmate, Julius Jones, in 2021, but he has rejected clemency recommendations in four other cases during his tenure. A total of 16 executions have been carried out under his administration.
The decision has sparked a mix of concerns and support. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond expressed disappointment in the governor's decision, stating, “I am disappointed that the governor has granted clemency for this dangerous murderer, but respect that this was his decision to make.”
Wood’s legal team has expressed gratitude for the commutation, saying it honors the wishes of Wipf’s family, who reportedly supported clemency. They noted that Wood's brother, Zjaiton, who was more directly responsible for the stabbing, was already serving a life sentence and passed away in prison in 2019.
During the clemency hearing, Wood accepted responsibility for the robbery but maintained that he did not deliver the fatal blow. He stated, “I’m not a monster. I’m not a killer. I never was and I never have been.”
The commutation represents a significant shift in the handling of capital punishment cases in Oklahoma, as discussions about the death penalty continue to evolve amid growing scrutiny and calls for reform.
