Tremane Wood, convicted in the 2002 fatal stabbing of Ronnie Wipf, had his death sentence commuted to life without parole by Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt minutes before a scheduled execution on Nov. 13. After the commutation, Wood was later found unresponsive in his cell; officials attributed the episode to stress and dehydration and reported he was stable and alert. The governor acted after the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board recommended reducing Wood's sentence; the commutation matches the sentence received by Wood's brother.
Execution Halted Minutes Before It Was Set to Proceed — Oklahoma Inmate Later Found Unresponsive
Tremane Wood, convicted in the 2002 fatal stabbing of Ronnie Wipf, had his death sentence commuted to life without parole by Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt minutes before a scheduled execution on Nov. 13. After the commutation, Wood was later found unresponsive in his cell; officials attributed the episode to stress and dehydration and reported he was stable and alert. The governor acted after the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board recommended reducing Wood's sentence; the commutation matches the sentence received by Wood's brother.
02:08 AM, 11/15/2025Society
Oklahoma Governor Commutes Death Sentence Minutes Before Execution; Inmate Later Found Unresponsive
Hours after his scheduled execution was stopped at the last minute, an Oklahoma death-row inmate was found unresponsive in his cell, officials said.
On Nov. 13, Gov. Kevin Stitt commuted Tremane Wood's death sentence to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole moments before Wood was to be executed, according to the Associated Press and The New York Times. Wood had been convicted in the 2002 fatal stabbing of Ronnie Wipf during what prosecutors said was a robbery that went wrong.
After the commutation, Wood was returned to his cell and later discovered unresponsive. Medical staff determined the incident was linked to stress and dehydration, and officials reported that Wood was stable and alert later that evening. Wood told prison personnel that he had been lying on his bunk, believed he may have passed out and thought he rolled off the bed.
Why the Sentence Was Commuted
The governor's action followed a recommendation from the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board to reduce Wood's sentence. Stitt noted that Wood's brother, Zjaiton, was convicted in the same killing and received life without parole; the governor said commuting Tremane Wood's death sentence reflects the same punishment his brother received.
"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. "In Oklahoma, we will continue to hold accountable those who commit violent crimes, delivering justice, safeguarding our communities, and respecting the rule of law."
The commutation is reportedly only the second time Gov. Stitt has halted an execution during his nearly two terms in office. Reporters also noted the detail that Wood had already been served what would have been his last meal — catfish — before the commutation was announced.
Officials said Wood received medical attention and was later deemed stable; the Department of Corrections provided updates to news outlets including the Associated Press and The New York Times.