Tremane Wood’s Death Sentence Commuted to Life Without Parole

Governor Grants Last-Minute Clemency to Tremane Woods

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has granted clemency to death row inmate Tremane Wood, commuting his sentence to life in prison without parole just hours before his scheduled execution. The 46-year-old had been sentenced to death for the 2002 stabbing of 19-year-old Ronnie Wipf, a migrant farm worker from Montana, during an ambush robbery at a north Oklahoma City hotel on New Year’s Day.

Board Recommended Clemency, Governor Accepted

The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board voted 3-2 to recommend clemency for Wood, stating concerns about the fairness of his trial. In his statement,

Governor Stitt said the commutation “reflects the same punishment his brother received … and ensures a severe punishment that keeps a violent offender off the streets forever.”

Case Details and Legal History

According to prosecutors, Wood and his brother conspired with two women to lure Wipf and another man into a motel room, where masked assailants rushed in and Wipf was fatally stabbed. Wood has maintained he did not deliver the fatal wound. Wood’s defense had argued his trial was deficient and key evidence was withheld, but appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court and state courts were denied. AP News

Rare Clemency Decision

This marks only the second time Governor Stitt has granted clemency to a death row inmate since taking office. While Wood avoids execution, the commutation ensures he will remain behind bars for life without any possibility of parole.

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