Tremane Wood’s mother and brother with a photo of themselves
Tremane Wood didn’t kill anyone, but he played a role in a fatal stabbing. He will be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt pardoned a death row prisoner, commuting his sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The clemency notification was made official shortly before Tremane Woodaged 46, will be executed by lethal injection on Thursday.
Wood was convicted of aggravated murder and sentenced to death in 2004 for his role in the fatal stabbing of farm worker Ronnie Wipf during a robbery. The victim’s family told the parole board they opposed Wood’s execution.
Just hours after being spared execution, Wood was found unconscious in his cell and taken to the hospital, authorities said. He later reported that he felt fine and authorities said they determined that the incident occurred due to dehydration and stress. Wood reportedly said he had not eaten or drunk anything since Wednesday night, when he ate what was believed to be his last meal.
Stitt said that “after a thorough review of the facts and prayerful reflection, I have decided to accept the Pardons and Parole Board’s recommendation to commute Tremane Wood’s sentence to life imprisonment without parole.” This is the second time Stitt has granted clemency to a death row inmate since becoming governor in 2019.
“The action reflects the same punishment his brother received for the murder of an innocent young man and ensures a severe punishment that keeps a violent criminal off the streets forever,” Stitt added in a statement cited by .
Wood’s lawyer, Amanda Bass Castro-Alves, welcomed the clemency decision.
“We are deeply grateful for the moral courage and leadership that Governor Stitt demonstrated in granting clemency to Tremane,” Castro-Alves told the BBC. “This decision honors the wishes of Mr. Wipf’s family and the surviving victim, and we hope it allows them some peace.”
Former lawyer drank and took drugs
The lawyer and family argue that Wood’s trial was unfair and accuse his lawyer at the time, John Barry Albert, of having presented an ineffective defense because he was addicted to drugs and alcohol during the trial. In 2006, the Oklahoma Supreme Court briefly suspended Albert’s law license for abusing both substances.
Earlier this month, the state parole board voted 3-2 in favor of clemency rather than execution. Wipf’s family and his friend Arnold Kleinsasser, who survived the robbery, agreed with the recommendation. Governor Stitt praised your willingness to forgive.
“I pray for Ronnie Wipf’s family and the surviving victim, Arnie; they are models of Christian forgiveness and love,” he said.
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond was disappointed with Stitt’s clemency notice.
“My office will continue to work to ensure that Tremane Wood remains behind bars and that the public is protected from him,” he said.
Oklahoma has carried out two executions so far this year, according to a survey by the Death Penalty Information Center. In 2024, the state executed four prisoners.
