An Oklahoma board has rejected clemency for Wendell Grissom, a 57-year-old man sentenced to die for fatally shooting a woman during a 2005 home-invasion robbery. The decision paves the way for Grissom to become the first person executed in the state this year, with a scheduled date of March 20 for his lethal injection.
Grissom, along with a co-defendant, was convicted of killing Amber Matthews and wounding her friend at a residence in Blaine County. While his attorneys did not dispute his guilt, they argued that Grissom suffered from brain damage that was not presented to the jury during his trial. They emphasized his remorse and acceptance of responsibility for the crime.
Prosecutors, however, countered these claims, stating that the killing was a deliberate act planned by Grissom and his accomplice. They highlighted the brutal nature of the crime, describing it as a 'textbook' death penalty case.
The Pardon and Parole Board voted 4-1 against recommending clemency for Grissom, citing the severity of the crime and the lack of new evidence that would warrant a different outcome. Emotional testimony was also heard from the survivor of the attack, who detailed the lasting impact of the incident on her life.
Without a clemency recommendation, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt is unable to commute Grissom's death sentence. Stitt, who has granted clemency only once during his tenure, denied clemency recommendations in four other cases. The decision to proceed with Grissom's execution marks a significant development in the state's criminal justice system.
