The state of Oklahoma has moved closer to its first execution of the year following a decision by its Pardon and Parole Board to deny clemency for Wendell Grissom, a 57-year-old man on death row. Grissom was sentenced to death for the fatal shooting of Amber Matthews in a 2005 home-invasion robbery, and his execution is scheduled for March 20 via lethal injection.
During the hearing, Grissom declined to speak before the board, a decision that followed a 4-1 vote against his clemency. The details of the crime, which also involved the wounding of Dreu Kopf, painted a tragic picture. Jessie Floyd Johns, Grissom’s accomplice in the crime, previously received a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
Grissom’s defense team, comprised of federal public defenders Kristi Christopher and Thomas Hird, acknowledged his guilt but contested that he suffers from brain damage that had not been considered during the original trial. They maintained that Grissom has consistently accepted responsibility, and they highlighted his expressed remorse, referencing a written apology to the victim’s family during his initial police interview.
Christopher pointed out that several jurors, including the jury foreman, stated that the verdict might have been different had they been informed of Grissom's mental health condition. However, these claims were challenged by the prosecution. Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Crabb argued that the crime demonstrated premeditated intent, citing the purchase of firearms, ammunition, and gloves, and the calculated decision to ensure no men were present at the scene before the shooting began.
Attorney General Gentner Drummond described the case as a textbook example for the death penalty, highlighting the seeming randomness and brutality of the attack against individuals in their home, a place they expected to be safe. The incident has had lasting impacts, as recounted by Dreu Kopf, who survives with physical reminders of the attack and has lived in constant fear since.
The lack of a clemency recommendation from the board means that the decision now rests with Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt. Historically, Stitt has granted clemency sparingly, doing so only once for Julius Jones in 2021, whose death sentence was commuted to life without parole. In contrast, Stitt has denied clemency in four other cases.
This case underscores the ongoing debates surrounding capital punishment, raising questions about justice, remorse, and mental health. As Grissom's execution date approaches, it remains a poignant reminder of the weighty decisions involved in carrying out the most severe sentence the justice system can impose.