Oklahoma AG Opposes Clemency for Convicted Murderer

AG: Oklahoma Newsroom

Filed March 13th, 2026

Detected March 18th, 2026

Summary

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has requested the Pardon and Parole Board deny clemency for Raymond Johnson, sentenced to death for the 2007 torture and murder of Brooke Whitaker and her infant daughter. Johnson's clemency hearing is April 8, 2026, with his execution scheduled for May 14, 2026.

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What changed

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has formally requested the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board deny clemency for Raymond Johnson, who was sentenced to death for the 2007 murders of Brooke Whitaker and her seven-month-old daughter, Kya Whitaker. The clemency packet details the horrific nature of the crimes, including torture and arson, and highlights Johnson's extensive criminal history, including a prior homicide conviction. The filing emphasizes that Johnson has not fully accounted for his actions and that justice must be served for the victims.

This action is a direct opposition to clemency for a death row inmate, with the clemency hearing scheduled for April 8, 2026, and the execution date set for May 14, 2026. While this is an individual case, it underscores the Attorney General's stance on capital punishment and the importance of holding individuals accountable for heinous crimes. Legal professionals and courts involved in capital cases should note the AG's arguments and the specific details presented regarding the brutality of the crime and the defendant's history.

What to do next

Review AG Drummond's arguments against clemency for Raymond Johnson.
Note the clemency hearing date of April 8, 2026, and execution date of May 14, 2026.

Penalties

Sentenced to death

Source document (simplified)

Drummond opposes clemency in horrific torture and murder case

Tweet PRINT Email Friday, March 13, 2026 OKLAHOMA CITY (March 13, 2026) – Attorney General Gentner Drummond has formally requested that the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board deny clemency for Raymond Johnson, who was sentenced to death for the brutal 2007 murders of Brooke Whitaker and her seven-month-old daughter, Kya Whitaker.

In the clemency packet filed today, Drummond detailed the horrific nature of the crimes and emphasized that Johnson has never been fully held to account for his lifetime of criminal behavior.

"Raymond Johnson is a heinous murderer who violently attacked and tortured Brooke Whitaker before ultimately setting her and her infant daughter on fire," Drummond said. "Johnson has never taken full accountability for these unconscionable acts, which not only devastated a family but also left three young children without their mother and baby sister. There must be justice for Brooke and Kya."

Evidence presented at trial showed that Johnson repeatedly struck Whitaker with a claw hammer during a prolonged assault inside her home. Despite Whitaker's pleas for help, Johnson continued the attack, striking up to twenty-four times before dousing her and the home with gasoline and setting her on fire. Whitaker's infant daughter, Kya, died from severe burns after being engulfed in the flames.

The clemency filing also outlines Johnson's extensive criminal history, including a prior homicide conviction for the 1995 killing of Clarence Oliver, and shows that the murders of Brooke and Kya were the culmination of a lifelong pattern of criminal behavior that was interrupted only when Johnson was in prison.

Johnson's clemency hearing is set for April 8. His execution is scheduled for May 14.

Last Modified on Mar 13, 2026