In brief
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has issued a rare act of clemency, commuting the death sentence of Tremane Wood to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Wood was convicted for his role in the 2002 murder of Ronnie Wipf during a botched robbery. Stitt's decision sparked disappointment from the state Attorney General, while Wood's attorney claimed the ruling respects the wishes of Wipf's family. Wood had maintained that it was his brother who committed the murder, raising further controversy over the justice system's handling of the case.
McALESTER, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has spared the life of a death row inmate just before he was set to receive a lethal injection on Thursday, commuting the man’s sentence to life in prison without parole.Stitt formally granted clemency to Tremane Wood, 46, who was scheduled to die for the stabbing death of a man during a botched robbery in 2002. It is just the second time the Republican governor has granted clemency during his nearly seven years in office.“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 announced.“This action reflects the same punishment his brother received for their murder of an innocent young man and ensures a severe punishment that keeps a violent offender off the streets forever,” the governor said.In his executive order commuting Wood’s sentence, Stitt emphasized that Wood shall not be eligible for any future clemency applications.Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond expressed disappointment with 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 was sentenced for his role in the killing of Ronnie Wipf, a 19-year-old migrant farmworker, during an attempted robbery on New Year’s day in 2002. Wood’s attorney, Amanda Bass Castro Alves, expressed profound gratitude for the decision, stating, “This decision honors the wishes of Mr. Wipf’s family and the surviving victim, and we hope it allows them a measure of peace.”The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board had previously recommended clemency with a 3-2 vote. During his clemency hearing, Wood's attorneys argued his brother Zjaiton Wood was the actual perpetrator of the murder and that Tremane had an ineffective trial attorney. While Tremane Wood admitted to his role in the robbery and acknowledged past misconduct, he maintained he was not the killer. This decision continues to highlight the complicated narratives surrounding justice and clemency in the state.
