In a significant decision, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has granted clemency to Tremane Wood, a death row inmate, commuting his sentence to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. The announcement came just hours before Wood, 46, was scheduled to face lethal injection on Thursday. Wood was convicted in 2004 for his involvement in the fatal stabbing of farmworker Ronnie Wipf during a robbery in 2002. The victim’s family had expressed their opposition to Wood’s execution, a sentiment that influenced the governor’s decision. Governor Stitt stated, ‘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.’ This marks the second time Stitt has granted clemency to a death row prisoner since taking office in 2019. Wood’s legal team acknowledged his participation in the robbery but denied his direct involvement in the stabbing, which was attributed to his older brother, Zjaiton Wood, who pleaded guilty and died in prison in 2019. Governor Stitt emphasized that the commutation aligns with the punishment his brother received and ensures that Wood remains incarcerated permanently. Wood’s attorney, Amanda Bass Castro-Alves, praised the decision, highlighting the governor’s ‘moral courage and leadership.’ The clemency decision followed a 3-2 vote by the state’s parole board earlier this month, which recommended clemency over execution. The victim’s family and Arnold Kleinsasser, a survivor of the robbery, supported the recommendation. Governor Stitt commended their forgiveness, stating, ‘They are models of Christian forgiveness and love.’ However, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond expressed disappointment, vowing to ensure Wood remains imprisoned. Oklahoma has executed two individuals this year, following four executions in 2024, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.