By Barbara Hoberock, Oklahoma Voice
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma County killer Tremane Wood was within minutes of execution when Gov. Kevin Stitt announced Thursday that he had decided to commute his sentence.
Wood, 46, was set to die by lethal injection at 10 a.m. Thursday at Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester, but Stitt announced in a press release issued at about the same time that he had granted clemency based upon a recommendation last week by the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board.
Stitt said he commuted Wood’s sentence to life without the possibility of parole.
“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,” Stitt said.
Wood was sentenced to die for the 2002 stabbing death of Ronnie Wipf, 19, during a robbery at an Oklahoma City motel.
Wipf was a migrant farm worker from Montana. Wipf’s friend Arnold Kleinsasser was also a target, but escaped.
The Pardon and Parole Board last week voted 3-2 to recommend clemency to Stitt.
Wood’s attorneys said his brother Zjaiton “Jake” Wood, admitted to the killing.
Jake Wood received life without parole for his role and died in prison in 2019.
Wood’s attorneys said his trial lawyer, who died in 2018, was ineffective.
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s office said Wood was the killer and continued his criminal and gang behavior while behind bars.
Wood made a personal appearance by video and took responsibility for his role, but said he was not a killer.
“I pray for the family of Ronnie Wipf and for the surviving victim, Arnie,” Stitt said. “They are models of Christian forgiveness and love.”
Drummond said he was disappointed Stitt granted clemency for a dangerous murderer, but respected that it was Stitt’s decision to make.
“We are profoundly grateful for the moral courage and leadership Governor Stitt has shown in granting mercy to Tremane,” said Amanda Bass Castro-Alves, an attorney for Wood. “This decision honors the wishes of Mr. Wipf’s family and the surviving victim, and we hope it allows them a measure of peace.”
Stitt last granted clemency in 2021 to Oklahoma County killer Julius Jones. He has denied clemency recommendations in four other cases.
