Oklahoma Governor Grants Clemency, Commutes Death Row Prisoner to Life

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has granted clemency to death row prisoner Tremane Wood, commuting his sentence to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, hours before Wood was scheduled for execution by lethal injection.

Wood, 46, was convicted of first-degree murder in 2004 for the fatal stabbing of farmworker Ronnie Wipf during a robbery. While Wood’s lawyers acknowledged his involvement in the robbery, they denied he carried out the murder. Wood’s older brother, Zjaiton Wood, who pleaded guilty to the killing, died in prison in 2019.

The clemency decision follows a recommendation by Oklahoma's Pardon and Parole Board, which voted 3-2 in favor of sparing Wood's life. Key witnesses, including Wipf’s family and surviving victim Arnold Kleinsasser, supported the clemency, citing forgiveness and the belief that Wood should not face execution.

Announcing the decision, Governor Stitt said, “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.”

Shortly after being spared, Wood was found unresponsive in his cell due to dehydration and stress from refusing food and drink since his last meal. He was hospitalized and later reported feeling fine.

Wood’s attorney, Amanda Bass Castro-Alves, praised the governor’s decision: “We are profoundly grateful for the moral courage and leadership Governor Stitt has shown in granting mercy to Tremane. This decision honours the wishes of Mr. Wipf's family and the surviving victim, and we hope it allows them a measure of peace.”

The case has also sparked criticism over Wood’s original trial. His defense attorney at the time, John Barry Albert, faced issues with drug and alcohol abuse, which Wood’s lawyers argue undermined his defense.

Governor Stitt emphasized that the clemency ensures Wood faces severe punishment while staying true to the forgiveness shown by the victims’ families: “I pray for the family of Ronnie Wipf and for the surviving victim, Arnie; they are models of Christian forgiveness and love.”

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond expressed disappointment with the clemency, stating the office remains committed to public safety and keeping Wood behind bars.

This marks the second clemency granted by Governor Stitt to a death row inmate since taking office in 2019. Oklahoma has executed two prisoners so far in 2025, with four executions carried out in 2024.