Oklahoma Governor Commutes Death Row Inmate’s Sentence Hours Before Execution

UPDATE: In a dramatic turn of events, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has commuted the death sentence of inmate Tremane Wood just hours before his scheduled execution. This urgent decision, announced on Thursday, follows a thorough review by the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board, which recommended reducing Wood’s sentence to life without parole.

Wood, aged 46, was facing execution for the 2002 murder of Ronald Wipf during a botched robbery. Although Wood has consistently claimed his innocence, his brother, Zjaiton Jake Wood, confessed to the crime and is currently serving a life sentence. Prosecutors revealed that both brothers, along with accomplices posing as prostitutes, lured victims to a hotel in the early hours of January 1, 2002, where they committed armed robbery.

In a statement, Governor Stitt expressed his decision reflects the severity of the crime, stating, “This action ensures a severe punishment that keeps a violent offender off the streets forever.” He extended his prayers to Wipf’s family and the surviving victim, who have shown remarkable forgiveness throughout this tragedy.

The governor’s clemency comes just days after the Pardon and Parole Board voted in a close 3-2 decision to recommend clemency for Wood. Both the surviving victim and Wipf’s mother voiced their opposition to the execution, highlighting the emotional weight of this case. Wood’s attorney, Amanda Bass Castro Alves, expressed profound gratitude for the governor’s decision, emphasizing it honors the wishes of Wipf’s family and offers them a measure of peace.

This is not the first time Governor Stitt has granted clemency; he last did so in 2021, when he reduced the life sentence of another inmate, Julius Jones. Since assuming office in January 2019, Stitt has overseen the execution of 16 men in Oklahoma.

As this story develops, many are questioning the implications of this decision for the future of capital punishment in the state. The emotional toll on the victims’ families and the broader community continues to resonate deeply.

Stay tuned for updates on this evolving story as it unfolds.