What would you do if you had less than a week to live? What if you were told you’d spend those last days confined to a building, removed from your community, and the only potential recourse rests in the same hands that are preparing to kill you? Tremane Wood is scheduled to be executed on November 13th for a murder he did not commit, despite the victim’s family publicly sharing that they do not think he should be executed. The question this raises for me is: can Tremane’s execution be just if the people this is supposed to serve disagree with the approach?
In Oklahoma and other states, the felony murder rule holds that if a death occurs during a felonious act, everyone involved can be charged with murder, even if the killing was unintentional and caused by someone else. This rule allowed for Tremane Wood to be sentenced to death for participating in a robbery he takes accountability for– one that led to the tragic killing of Ronnie Wipf.
As I write this, Tremane Wood has nine days to live. Nine days to live for participating in a robbery. He did not kill anyone, nor did he have the knowledge or intent for someone to be killed. It is undisputed that he participated in the robbery, and it is also true that he did not kill. Yet, the State — and often we, as community members — tends to characterize people by their worst moments, and excessively punish them under the guise of justice. It is for this reason that I invite you to humanize Tremane for a moment.
Tremane Wood is a loved father, son, uncle, and survivor of unfathomable childhood trauma. Like many survivors, he lost his way, fell into negative behaviors, and, like many, lacked positive adult influence. Like all children, he needed stability; he needed to be cared for. These unmet needs led him to follow the only person he trusted: his older brother, Zjaiton “Jake” Wood. Jake, regarded as threatening, irrational, and violent, was also a brother trying, in his own flawed way, to teach survival. His influence led Tremane to participate in the robbery, a decision he regrets and for which he maintains accountability.
On that day, Jake killed Ronnie Wipf. Tremane did not know or intend for this to happen. Jake confessed and received a life sentence, represented by a capable legal team. Tremane, meanwhile, was represented by an attorney struggling with alcohol and substance abuse while managing nearly 100 cases– an undisputed fact that led to Tremane’s conviction and death sentence.
Let me be clear: there is no attempt to justify Tremane’s involvement in the robbery. But it is deeply alarming that his co-defendants, including the confessed killer, received life sentences while Tremane was sentenced to death. For the crime he is responsible for, a robbery, the death penalty is egregious. His incarceration and isolation from his family are punishment enough, and even the victim’s family agrees. So again, I ask: can Tremane’s execution be just if the people this is supposed to serve disagree with the approach?
Over 6,000 letters have been sent to the Pardon and Parole Board. His family, legal team, and advocates have hosted rallies and screenings and shared materials urging the board to recommend clemency at Tremane’s hearing on November 5th.
We all should keep our eyes on Tremane and make it clear that the community is watching. Oklahoma plans to kill in our name, in the pursuit of justice for a family who disagrees with their approach. We still have time to make this right– get involved, be heard, and join in the fight to save his life.