Oklahoma Governor Grants Clemency to Death Row Inmate Tremane Wood

Thu Nov 13 2025 20:23:38 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a rare move, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt commutes the sentence of Tremane Wood, who was scheduled for execution, to life in prison without parole, reflecting on the case that involved a botched robbery and the killing of a young man.

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has spared the life of Tremane Wood, commuting his death sentence to life without parole. This decision comes shortly before Wood's scheduled execution for the 2002 murder of Ronnie Wipf, a case that has faced substantial scrutiny. Wood's attorneys argued for his clemency, stating that his brother was the actual killer. The decision, while supported by the victim's family, has drawn disappointment from the Oklahoma Attorney General.

McALESTER, Okla. (AP) — In an unprecedented decision, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt announced the commutation of death row inmate Tremane Wood's sentence to life in prison without parole, just hours before his scheduled execution. Wood's original sentence stemmed from a 2002 botched robbery that resulted in the stabbing death of Ronnie Wipf, a 19-year-old migrant farmworker.

Stitt's decision marks only the second instance of clemency granted during his nearly seven-year tenure 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.

Wood's case has been controversial, with significant debate surrounding his role in the murder. Wood's attorneys maintain that while he was involved in the robbery, it was his brother, Zjaiton Wood, who delivered the fatal blow to Wipf. Zjaiton Wood, who received a life sentence without parole for the murder, admitted his guilt before he died in 2019.

In a twist, Oklahoma's Pardon and Parole Board voted 3-2 in favor of recommending clemency for Wood, a decision that has drawn both applause and disapproval.

Despite the clear support for clemency from the victim's family, including their desire for closure and peace, State Attorney General Gentner Drummond expressed disappointment with Stitt's decision, emphasizing that Wood is a dangerous individual. I am disappointed that the governor has granted clemency for this dangerous murderer, but respect that this was his decision to make, Drummond stated.

During the clemency hearing, Tremane Wood acknowledged his participation in the robbery but denied any responsibility for the murder of Wipf. I’m not a monster. I’m not a killer. I never was and I never have been, he asserted during his video testimony.

The decision to commute Wood's sentence has sparked significant public interest and debate, with advocates arguing it reflects a necessary reconsideration of justice in light of new insights into the case. As Oklahoma continues to grapple with issues surrounding capital punishment, the case of Tremane Wood highlights the complexities and moral dilemmas inherent in the justice system.