In a stunning turn of events, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt spared the life of death row inmate Tremane Wood just minutes before his scheduled lethal injection. The decision comes after the US Supreme Court denied a request from Wood's attorneys to halt the execution, which had been set for Thursday.
Wood, 46, has been serving a life sentence without parole since 2003 after being convicted of felony murder in the stabbing death of Ronnie Wipf, a 19-year-old migrant farm worker. While his brother Zjaiton ("Jake") Wood was sentenced to life without parole and died by suicide in prison in 2019 after admitting to killing Wipf, Tremane's attorneys maintain that he was not the actual perpetrator.
Wood had appealed the conviction, arguing that trial prosecutors failed to reveal crucial details of a plea agreement with a key witness. His lawyers also claimed that he continued to participate in gang activity and commit crimes while incarcerated, including buying and selling contraband and ordering an attack on another inmate.
However, in a heart-wrenching hearing last week, Tremane Wood expressed remorse for his role in the robbery and Wipf's death. He accepted responsibility for his prison misconduct and stated that he was not the one who committed the murder.
In issuing the pardon, Governor Stitt said that the commuted sentence reflected the same punishment that Jake received for their murder of an innocent young man. The decision ensures a severe punishment while keeping a violent offender off the streets forever.
The news has brought relief to Wood's family, including his son Brendan and community organizer Jasmine Brown-Jutras, who described the experience as "mental torture" and "cruel and inhumane." Brenda Wood expressed joy at the reprieve, saying it had lifted a "thousand pounds" from her shoulders.
The decision marks only the second time under Governor Stitt's nearly seven-year tenure that clemency has been granted. The ruling highlights concerns about last-minute decisions that leave inmates on death row in a state of uncertainty and anxiety.
With this latest development, at least 41 people have died by court-ordered execution so far this year in the US, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Another 17 are scheduled to meet their end in the coming months.
The pardon and parole board's recommendation was met with gratitude from those who had advocated for Wood's release. Governor Stitt's decision has sparked debate about the fairness and effectiveness of the death penalty system, particularly when it comes to ensuring that inmates have access to proper representation and due process before being sentenced to life or death.
For Tremane Wood, the reprieve offers a second chance at redemption and a glimmer of hope for his future. As he begins a new chapter in prison, he will likely face many challenges but may also find solace in knowing that his humanity has been recognized by those who can make it right.
Wood, 46, has been serving a life sentence without parole since 2003 after being convicted of felony murder in the stabbing death of Ronnie Wipf, a 19-year-old migrant farm worker. While his brother Zjaiton ("Jake") Wood was sentenced to life without parole and died by suicide in prison in 2019 after admitting to killing Wipf, Tremane's attorneys maintain that he was not the actual perpetrator.
Wood had appealed the conviction, arguing that trial prosecutors failed to reveal crucial details of a plea agreement with a key witness. His lawyers also claimed that he continued to participate in gang activity and commit crimes while incarcerated, including buying and selling contraband and ordering an attack on another inmate.
However, in a heart-wrenching hearing last week, Tremane Wood expressed remorse for his role in the robbery and Wipf's death. He accepted responsibility for his prison misconduct and stated that he was not the one who committed the murder.
In issuing the pardon, Governor Stitt said that the commuted sentence reflected the same punishment that Jake received for their murder of an innocent young man. The decision ensures a severe punishment while keeping a violent offender off the streets forever.
The news has brought relief to Wood's family, including his son Brendan and community organizer Jasmine Brown-Jutras, who described the experience as "mental torture" and "cruel and inhumane." Brenda Wood expressed joy at the reprieve, saying it had lifted a "thousand pounds" from her shoulders.
The decision marks only the second time under Governor Stitt's nearly seven-year tenure that clemency has been granted. The ruling highlights concerns about last-minute decisions that leave inmates on death row in a state of uncertainty and anxiety.
With this latest development, at least 41 people have died by court-ordered execution so far this year in the US, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Another 17 are scheduled to meet their end in the coming months.
The pardon and parole board's recommendation was met with gratitude from those who had advocated for Wood's release. Governor Stitt's decision has sparked debate about the fairness and effectiveness of the death penalty system, particularly when it comes to ensuring that inmates have access to proper representation and due process before being sentenced to life or death.
For Tremane Wood, the reprieve offers a second chance at redemption and a glimmer of hope for his future. As he begins a new chapter in prison, he will likely face many challenges but may also find solace in knowing that his humanity has been recognized by those who can make it right.
think its really weird that governor stitt decided to spare tremane wood's life just mins before his execution. i mean, isnt the death penalty supposed to be final? 
dont get me wrong, pardon is a good thing but after all the drama and court battles he went through, cant imagine how relieved his family must feel 
especially when you consider that governor stitt basically made the same punishment as his bros sentence for it... its like hes trying to send a message that life in prison is harsh enough. 
on the other hand, tremane wood seems really remorseful and i can see why the gov decided to grant him clemency 
just wonder how many ppl have been executed while waiting for last min decisions to be made... its like we need more reforms in our justice system 
. i'm all for second chances, especially when it comes to people who are willing to take responsibility for their actions like tremane did last week. it's crazy how one minute he's facing death, and the next he gets a pardon 
. the fact that governor stitt gave him a life sentence without parole is pretty cool too - it's like he got the same punishment as his brother who killed the young guy all those years ago. anyway, this whole thing has brought so much relief to tremane's family and friends, and for that, we should all be happy 
. what do you guys think about the death penalty system, is it fair or just another way of keeping people locked up forever?
. now let's hope tremane gets the help and support he needs to turn his life around 
. I mean, you've got an innocent man sitting on death row for a crime he didn't even commit, and now he's been given a second chance at life thanks to the governor's mercy 
. It's like, what if your brother was wrongly accused of a crime too? What would you do? 
. I mean, it's not like Tremane was even supposed to be on death row in the first place, and now he gets a pardon because of some technicality 
. And now we've got another death row inmate scheduled to die soon? It's just crazy 
.
. I mean, it's not just about Tremane Wood's life or death, it's about the system that failed him in the first place 
.
. I mean, it shows that even in the darkest of times, there's still hope for redemption and second chances 
. So here's to Tremane Wood: you got this, buddy 
!
But seriously, this is such an emotional rollercoaster for Tremane Wood's family and loved ones. You feel bad for his brother who took his own life in prison but at the same time, it's hard not to think that if there was a way to give Jake a second chance, maybe he wouldn't have done what he did 
I'm glad Governor Stitt intervened though – it's amazing how one person can make such a huge difference in someone's life 
. i'm glad his family is finally getting some peace of mind 
. gotta give props to governor stitt tho, showing mercy when it counts most 
I mean, yeah... so the governor just throws a bone to the family of this guy Tremane Wood and saves his life. Like, what's next? 
what's goin on with the death penalty in america? like, cant they just give people a fair trial or somethin'? i mean tremane wood was all remorseful and stuff, but i guess that didnt count for much 
. but like, 41 people are dead already this year? its just too many 
. and what about the fairness part? why did they let tremane wood down at the last min? it just feels so unfair 
. And what about the whole situation with the plea agreement and the gang activity? Wasn't that enough to warrant the death penalty? 
.
. It's just not fair