News / FJP Releases
FJP Statement on Tomorrow’s Scheduled Execution of Wendell Grissom
March 19, 2025 (Oklahoma) — Fair and Just Prosecution (FJP) condemns the upcoming execution of Wendell Grissom in Oklahoma, who is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection tomorrow, Thursday, March 20th at 10 A.M. CST.
Mr. Grissom’s defense team has argued that ‘several mitigating factors,’ including neurological deficits from birth-related brain damage and substance dependency, contributed to his crime but were not presented during his trial. Three jurors who initially sentenced Mr. Grissom to death later wrote letters expressing regret over their decision after learning this information. Juror Deborah Givens specifically wrote that she no longer feels confident in her choice to sentence Grissom to death.
Acting Co-Executive Director Amy Fettig issued the following statement ahead of Oklahoma’s planned execution:
“Barring last-minute intervention, the State of Oklahoma will execute Mr. Grissom by lethal injection tomorrow morning. The death penalty is an irreversible punishment, and cases like Mr. Grissom’s only underscore the profound injustice inherent within any legal system that permits state-sanctioned killing. Mr. Grissom’s jury was never given crucial information about his neurological and cognitive deficits before sentencing him to death. We now know that knowledge of Mr. Grissom’s condition would have made a material difference for at least three of his jurors who have subsequently spoken out against his execution.
“Oklahoma’s decision to proceed with this execution despite Mr. Grissom’s significant neurological deficits exemplifies just how fallible – and cruel – America’s capital punishment regime has become. Governor Stitt cannot allow this moral travesty to continue, particularly in light of Oklahoma’s unconscionable recent history of botched executions. Our thoughts are with the loved ones of both Wendell Grissom and his victims, Elvira and Victoria White.”
BACKGROUND
Oklahoma’s lethal injection protocols have led to multiple botched executions in recent years, raising serious concerns about the state’s respect for constitutional prohibitions against cruel and unusual punishment. Oklahoma’s recent use of untested drugs, like midazolam, and its failure to ensure transparency and proper medical supervision have resulted in prolonged, painful deaths. This includes the case of John Grant, who was executed on October 28, 2021. Mr. Grant experienced prolonged convulsions and vomiting for nearly 15-minutes before he was pronounced dead.