A prisoner on death row, Tremane Wood, who was granted a last-minute reprieve from execution, was rushed for medical attention after being found unresponsive in his cell. Wood, aged 46, had his death sentence commuted to life without parole by Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt just before he was set to be executed. However, shortly after the decision, guards discovered Wood collapsed in his cell during a routine check.
According to Department of Corrections spokeswoman Kay Thompson, Wood had appeared stable after meeting with his legal team post-commutation. Yet, he experienced a medical crisis later, attributed to dehydration and stress. Officials confirmed that by Thursday evening, Wood was in a “stable and alert” condition.
In a released interview following his hospitalization, Wood recounted being alone in his cell and suddenly losing consciousness. He denied self-harm, mentioning he had not eaten since the previous day. Wood expressed gratitude to Governor Stitt for the reprieve.
Wood, who was awaiting execution beside the death chamber, was informed of his fate change following support for clemency from the victim’s family. Wood was convicted of fatally stabbing Ronnie Wipf in a 2002 robbery gone wrong. He maintained his innocence, claiming his deceased brother was the actual culprit.
Governor Stitt clarified that the commutation ensures Wood will never be eligible for release, parole, or pardon. The decision received mixed reactions, with State Attorney General Gentner Drummond expressing disappointment, while Wood’s attorney, Amanda Bass Castro Alves, expressed profound gratitude.
Despite facing criticism from some quarters, the Governor’s decision was influenced by pleas for clemency from various sources, including Republican lawmakers and the Pardon and Parole Board. The case had been contentious, with conflicting evidence presented by prosecutors and Wood’s defense team.
Wood’s medical emergency coincided with another high-profile execution in South Carolina, where Stephen Bryant, a convicted mass killer, was put to death by firing squad. Bryant’s plea of brain damage caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol and drugs was not accepted by the court, leading to his execution.