Podcast Summary: Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes Present

Episode: In Less Than 48 Hours Her Son Will Be Executed Unless The Governor Intervenes – Interview with Linda Wood and Her Granddaughters

Date: November 12, 2025
Host: Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes (iHeartPodcasts)
Guests: Linda Wood (mother of Tremaine Wood), Brooklyn Wood and Andreana Wood (his nieces)

Episode Overview

This emotional, urgent episode centers on the experiences of Linda Wood, whose son Tremaine Wood is scheduled for execution in less than 48 hours, unless the Governor of Oklahoma grants clemency. Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes move beyond the legal details to focus on the human toll—hosting an intimate, vulnerable conversation with Tremaine’s mother and two nieces, Brooklyn and Andreana. The episode explores the family’s anguish, the impact of the death penalty, and their hope and activism in his final days.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Background of Tremaine Wood’s Case

• Case Recap:
  • Tremaine Wood, now 46, was convicted in his 20s for involvement in a robbery on New Year’s Day, 2002, where a man was fatally stabbed.
  • Both Tremaine and his brother Jake were convicted. Jake confessed, received life without parole; Tremaine received the death penalty amid concerns over inadequate legal representation.
  • The clemency board recently recommended clemency (3-2 vote), but ultimate authority lies with Governor Stitt, who has yet to decide ([04:07]).

The Emotional Experience of the Family

• Unimaginable Stress:

  • Linda Wood shares how the anticipation of her son’s execution weighs on her:

    “Life for me right now as Tremaine's mother is stress level 1000... My heart is so heavy with the thought that my son could die in less than two days.” — Linda Wood [06:45]

  • Both Linda and Brooklyn talk about insomnia, loss of appetite, and being emotionally “drained” ([08:31]).

• Preparing for Loss:

  • “You don't prepare. I have tried to play that scenario over in my mind a million times in the last 21 years... This cannot be the end of my son's story.” — Linda Wood [07:30]
  • Brooklyn: “It’s hard to sleep... it's hard to eat... when you're thinking that the person you love the most... is going to be gone in under 48 hours if this doesn't go the right way.” [08:56]

Tremaine’s Impact as a Family Member

• Role Model & Mentor:

  • “My uncle has made an amazing impact in my life. He's helped me through multiple mental health crises... and taught me that my worth isn't measured by what people say but by what I see inside myself.” — Brooklyn Wood [09:33]
  • Tremaine is described as selfless, putting others first even behind bars ([10:30]).

• Maintaining Family Bonds Through Incarceration:

  • Linda explains how she raised Andreana from birth and made sure she maintained contact with her uncles (Tremaine and Jake), bringing her to visit in jail as a baby ([13:05]).
  • “Every kid has a right to know who their family is.” — Linda Wood [15:17]

• The Weight of Losing Two Sons:

  • Linda recounts losing Jake to suicide and now faces losing Tremaine:

    "To lose one child and now at the thought that within 48 hours I could lose a second child... One third of my heart is already gone. If Tremaine dies, that's two thirds. And it's hard to live with one third of a heart." — Linda Wood [17:09]

The Execution Process & Anticipating Final Visits

• Final Interactions and Death Watch:

  • The family details their last in-person visit—the reality that their last hug may have been their final one ([28:14]).
  • “If I'd known it was the last one, we'd have probably hugged him a little tighter and held him a little longer.” — Linda Wood [28:24]
  • Under “Death Watch,” Tremaine is moved next to the execution chamber; his possessions are limited, and most of his family’s phone numbers have been blocked ([53:44]).

• Witnessing the Execution:

  • Tremaine has requested that none of his immediate family be present at the execution; only his spiritual advisor will be with him ([32:25]).
  • Linda: “I told him I would respect whoever he wanted there, just know it couldn’t be me. I don’t know that I can even be conscious when 10 o’clock Thursday comes.” [33:07]

Reflections on Oklahoma's Death Penalty Laws

• Felony Murder Law Critique:

  • “First of all, I think it's the stupidest law that was ever written in the history of the world... If I didn't kill this person, then I don't deserve to die.” — Linda Wood [37:51]
  • Linda argues Tremaine was “the least culpable of everybody that participated in this crime,” expressing belief in his remorse ([38:24]) and referencing the victim’s family’s opposition to execution ([39:20]).

• Legal Representation and Clemency:

  • The family expresses gratitude for the clemency board’s recommendation—“a miracle that my son was far overdue for” ([34:09]).
  • After the recommendation, the fight for clemency from the governor is ongoing, and the family remains both hopeful and anxious.
  • Linda on the governor: “I just pray that as the last act of human compassion for someone, that he will do the right thing and stand up and grant my son clemency.” [37:11]

Broader Reflections: Family and Faith

• Tremaine’s Growth and Redemption:

  • Linda describes Tremaine’s transformation in prison and his desire to effect change:

    “Even in the final moments when death is knocking at his door, possibly, he's still thinking about... a change in this broken system. As his mother, I’m proud for him to be my son.” — Linda Wood [44:38], [45:56]

  • The hosts and family highlight the waste of executing someone who mentors others, gives back, and demonstrates deep personal change ([47:24]).

• Ongoing Hope, Uncertainty, and Advocacy:

  • Linda: “This just cannot be the end of Tremaine’s story. He has so much left that he wants to give to the world and the people around him.” [47:24]
  • Brooklyn: “He keeps me going and keeps me from... going insane practically.” [49:24]

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• "You don’t prepare. I have tried to play that scenario over in my mind a million times… my mind won’t allow me to even fathom him not being here any longer."
  – Linda Wood [07:30]

• "If I didn't kill this person, then I don't deserve to die."
  – Linda Wood [38:00]

• "To lose one child, and now at the thought that within 48 hours I could lose a second child... and it's hard to live with one third of a heart."
  – Linda Wood [17:09]

• "This just cannot be the end of Tremaine’s story. He has so much left that he wants to give."
  – Linda Wood [47:24]

• "If there's one thing I could end this on, it would be our family, his legal team, they've all been amazing, and we are all stronger than the storm we are going through."
  – Linda Wood [53:32]

• "I feel like... we do try to find little things in the day... We joke with our uncle a lot... just to keep him in good spirits."
  – Brooklyn Wood [43:32]

• "Even in the final moments, when death is knocking at his door... he’s still thinking about, I want my life to make a difference to people that still have to come where I’m at now."
  – Linda Wood [45:56]

Important Segments

• [02:56] — Introduction to the case and family members
• [06:28] — Family begins sharing their experience
• [13:05] — Importance of maintaining family relationships through prison
• [15:17] — Coping with losing two sons to incarceration and suicide
• [17:09] — The unique pain of losing multiple children
• [28:14] — Final (possibly last) contact visit and the reality of goodbyes
• [32:25] — Details on execution protocol and witnesses
• [34:09] — Clemency recommendation as emotional high point
• [37:51] — Discussion of Oklahoma's felony murder law
• [47:24] — Reflections on Tremaine's value to the world if allowed to live
• [53:44] — Tremaine’s current conditions on “Death Watch”
• [57:36] — Hosts recap and reflect on learnings from the family’s experience

Tone and Style

The episode is raw, direct, and deeply emotional, with the hosts empathetic but unflinching, and the family members sharing moments of sorrow, hope, and even brief laughter. The conversation remains intimate, focused on the hearts and lived realities at the center of capital punishment debates.

Takeaways

• Humanization of Death Row: Through Linda, Brooklyn, and Andreana’s voices, the episode powerfully conveys the ripple effects of the death penalty on families.
• Last-Minute Uncertainty: The family’s hope rests entirely on the Governor’s last-minute intervention, adding to the already excruciating agony.
• Call for Change: Deep critiques of the legal system’s rigidity, Oklahoma’s felony murder doctrine, and the way these processes impact not just the condemned, but all who love them.
• Personal Advocacy: Linda, Brooklyn, and Andreana each exemplify personal, relentless advocacy, resisting despair to fight for Tremaine as both a son/uncle and a person capable of change.

Closing

• Last Words from Linda:

  “We are all stronger than the storm we are going through.” [53:32]

• Status Update:

  • As of recording, Tremaine is scheduled for execution at 10 AM unless Governor Stitt intervenes. In the past, the Governor has rarely granted clemency even when recommended ([56:47]).

• Hosts’ Reflection:

  • T.J.: “We always say, if there’s any little bitty question of any kind, let’s err on the side of not killing somebody, because you can’t correct that mistake. This is certainly one of those.” [57:36]
  • Dr. Priyanka Wali: “If the family of the victims do not want the convicted killer of their loved one to be executed, that should be the final say. Period.” [58:22]

A moving, difficult listen—this episode puts a human face on justice, mercy, and the pain wrought by the death penalty, just hours before an irreversible act.