In McAlester, Oklahoma, an emotional execution unfolded as Wendell Grissom expressed his deep regret to the family of his victim before being administered a lethal injection at 10:13 a.m. This marked the state’s first execution of 2025, shedding light on a tragic event that took place two decades ago, when Grissom fatally shot Amber Matthews during a home invasion. Matthews’ family, alongside survivors and friends, gathered to witness the execution, closing a long chapter marked by pain and loss.
Dreu Kopf, who was severely wounded by Grissom during the same attack but survived, highlighted the impact of Grissom’s actions, noting the swiftness with which her friend was killed compared to the execution process. Grissom, aged 56 at the time of his execution, had expressed deep remorse, offering apologies to the families affected and seeking forgiveness during his final moments. He acknowledged being under the influence when the crime occurred, a factor that compounded the tragedy for those involved.
Grissom’s execution was one among several that week in the U.S., with Louisiana and Arizona also carrying out executions. His co-defendant, Jessie Floyd Johns, received a life sentence without parole for his role in the crime. Officials stated the two men had set out to commit robberies, leading to the fatal encounter with Matthews and Kopf near Watonga where Matthews was visiting with her young daughters.
Prosecutors detailed the harrowing sequence, from the shooting of Matthews to Kopf’s brave escape, which led to the eventual capture of Grissom and Johns after a failed getaway attempt. Investigators found Matthews’ children unharmed physically but forever altered by the trauma. Matthews succumbed to her injuries after being airlifted to a hospital.
Throughout the lead-up to the execution, Grissom’s defense did not challenge his culpability but argued his brain damage had not been adequately considered. Despite writing an apology soon after his arrest and expressing consistent remorse, their appeals for clemency were denied. Kopf, bearing the emotional and physical scars of the attack, recounted her ongoing fears to the clemency board, showcasing the enduring impact of Grissom’s crime.
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond emphasized the random and brutal nature of Grissom’s crime, labeling it a clear justification for the death penalty in his assessment. The execution served as Oklahoma’s 128th since the reinstatement of capital punishment in 1976, reinforcing the state’s stance on severe consequences for heinous crimes.