Drummond Requests Clemency Denial for Wendell Grissom

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OKLAHOMA CITY  – Attorney General Gentner Drummond requested that the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board reject clemency for Wendell Arden Grissom. He is set for execution in March for the murder of Amber Dawn Matthews.

On the afternoon of Nov. 3, 2005, Grissom and another man, Jessie Johns, broke into the Blaine County house of Dreu Kopf, who was inside with her two young daughters and her best friend, Amber Dawn Matthews. Grissom shot Kopf at least three times, laughing as he did so. Dreu survived and was able to flee the home, hoping Grissom would follow her and spare Matthews and the children. Grissom ran after Matthews in the children’s bedroom, a baby cradled in her arms. Despite Matthews begging for her life, Grissom shot her once in the back of the head. He then stood over Matthews and fired a second shot into her forehead, killing her.

Johns is serving a life sentence without parole. Grissom’s death sentence is scheduled for March 20.

“Wendell Grissom took the life of a kind, vivacious 23-year-old who went into nursing to help people and died protecting two innocent children,” Drummond said. “Amber Matthews’ monstrous murder demands that justice be carried out. I urge the Pardon and Parole Board to deny clemency for this cold-blooded killer.”

Grissom’s clemency hearing is set for Feb. 5.