Oklahoma Executes Wendell Grissom, Marking State’s First Execution of 2025 Amid Renewed National Debate on Capital Punishment

Oklahoma carried out the execution of Wendell Grissom on Thursday, marking the state’s first execution of 2025. Grissom, aged 56, was convicted for the fatal shooting of Amber Matthews during a home-invasion robbery that took place two decades ago. The incident also involved the wounding of Matthews’ friend, Dreu Kopf, at Kopf’s residence in Blaine County. Grissom was executed by lethal injection at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester.

Grissom’s execution is part of a series of capital punishments scheduled across the United States this week. In addition to Oklahoma’s execution, Louisiana resumed its execution practices after a 15-year hiatus, utilizing nitrogen gas for the first time on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Arizona executed a man by lethal injection on Wednesday, who had been convicted of kidnapping and murder.

The case involving Grissom also included a co-defendant, Jessie Floyd Johns, who was similarly convicted for the murder of Amber Matthews. The crime, which took place in 2005, left a lasting impact on the victims’ families and the local community. Grissom’s execution is one of several carried out in recent years, with methods including lethal injection, nitrogen gas, and firing squad.

The use of capital punishment continues to be a topic of significant debate across the United States. While some states have resumed executions after long pauses, others are reevaluating their stance on the death penalty. The recent executions highlight the ongoing discussions surrounding the ethics and implementation of capital punishment in the country.