General Discussion

WhiskeyGrinder

(26,005 posts) Thu Nov 13, 2025, 11:30 AM Nov 13

Gov. Kevin Stitt grants clemency for death row inmate Tremane Wood minutes before execution

https://www.koco.com/article/tremane-wood-clemency-oklahoma-execution/69425220

Gov. Kevin Stitt has granted clemency for Tremane Wood, who had been on Oklahoma's death row for more than 20 years.

Wood was sentenced to death for the murder of 19-year-old Ronnie Wipf on Jan. 1, 2002. Wood has denied killing anyone. The execution was scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester, but the governor's office announced at the last minute that Stitt had granted Wood clemency.

"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 a news release. "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. In Oklahoma, we will continue to hold accountable those who commit violent crimes, delivering justice, safeguarding our communities, and respecting the rule of law. I pray for the family of Ronnie Wipf and for the surviving victim, Arnie; they are models of Christian forgiveness and love."

(snip)

Last week, the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board voted 3-2 to recommend clemency for Wood. The board said Wood's trial was not fair and just. The Oklahoma State Supreme Court denied Wood's request for a stay of execution last week. Just hours before the execution on Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court denied his request.

5 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Gov. Kevin Stitt grants clemency for death row inmate Tremane Wood minutes before execution (Original Post) WhiskeyGrinder Nov 13 OP

Good! mvd Nov 13 #1

Was this the one where the evidence was reviewed and it was deemed he was actually innocent? mucholderthandirt Nov 13 #2

There's no claims I found that suggest he was innocent EdmondDantes_ Nov 13 #3

Having been through it with my brother, Ms. Toad Nov 13 #4

I am so, so sorry you all were subjected to that cruelty. Thank you for sharing your experience. WhiskeyGrinder Nov 14 #5

mvd

(65,798 posts)

1. Good!

Reply to WhiskeyGrinder (Original post)

Thu Nov 13, 2025, 11:58 AM

Nov 13

Even if you aren’t against the death penalty in all cases like I am, there was a lot pointing to clemency here:

- impaired trial lawyer
- inappropriate conduct from prosecution and one of the judges
- brother admitted to doing the actual killing and got life in prison
- victim’s family wanted forgiveness

Still surprised Stitt did the right thing.

mucholderthandirt

(1,730 posts)

2. Was this the one where the evidence was reviewed and it was deemed he was actually innocent?

Reply to WhiskeyGrinder (Original post)

Thu Nov 13, 2025, 10:08 PM

Nov 13

But he was going to be executed anyway? What a crazy thing that is.

I can see where sometimes the death penalty is warranted, but since it's not fairly done in a lot of cases, especially of poor people and minorities, then we shouldn't have it. Life in prison is better, because living innocent people have a chance to get out.

Trump and his Project 2025 morons? Death to them all.

EdmondDantes_

(1,181 posts)

3. There's no claims I found that suggest he was innocent

Reply to mucholderthandirt (Reply #2)

Thu Nov 13, 2025, 10:53 PM

Nov 13

But the victims' families appealed for clemency.

Ms. Toad

(37,998 posts)

4. Having been through it with my brother,

Reply to WhiskeyGrinder (Original post)

Thu Nov 13, 2025, 11:20 PM

Nov 13

I know what that feels like.

We had made plans for his cremation, had our last visit with him and shared brief hugs surrounded by his shackled arms, written a letter to those who supported us during the two decades he spent on death row, tried to figure how (or if) I should explain to my mother that "no, they were not going to give him sedatives to make his electrocution less painful" - they needed him to be fully aware of what was happening to him, and why - and debated whether I should accompany my father to the execution of his son - or stay home with my mother.

It was not the only execution date he had been given, but it was the only one which came down to the last minute.

I got the word via the car radio (on the way to pick up a siblings from the airport? I've lost track of the details) that the state Supreme Court had stayed his execution.

It is a nightmare that no family should have to go through. Executions do not bring back those killed - they just create additional grieving families. And - in the years between sentencing and execution, each time an execution date is set - all families involved (those of the victim and the perpetrator) are put through hell over and over again. In our case, that sentiment is shared by all of the closest family members of the two women my brother killed.

WhiskeyGrinder

(26,005 posts)

5. I am so, so sorry you all were subjected to that cruelty. Thank you for sharing your experience.

Reply to Ms. Toad (Reply #4)

Fri Nov 14, 2025, 08:13 AM

Nov 14

Reply to this discussion