The survivors of an Oklahoma death row inmate's 2005 deadly home invasion spoke after his execution on Thursday.
Survivors speak out ahead of Oklahoma inmate’s scheduled execution
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Wendell Grissom died by lethal injection at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester. He was convicted of murdering 23-year-old Amber Matthews during a Watonga home invasion.
Dreu Kopf, Matthews' friend, was inside the home with her two daughters, Gracie and Rylee Kopf, when Grissom began shooting inside of the home. Matthews was killed, but the Kopfs all survived.
>> Video Below: Family member of Amber Matthews speaks after killer's execution
Matthews was holding Gracie when she was shot. Rylee was in a crib inside one of the home's bedrooms.
Dreu and her two daughters attended Grissom's execution. They spoke to members of the media after he was put to death.
“It took him a total of 13 minutes to die, and it took him a total of two minutes to kill my best friend,” Dreu Kopf said.
During his final words, witnesses said Grissom asked for forgiveness.
"I don't think justice is ever fully served because Amber is not ever going to be here again," Dreu said.
>> Video Below: From the KOCO Archives: Jessica Schambach interviews survivor of 2005 deadly home invasion
Dreu stood with Gracie, who is now 19, and Rylee, who is now 20, to answer questions after the execution.
"She was unbelievable," Dreu said. "She sed my kids."
When asked if she plans to put Grissom out of her mind now that he has died, Dreu said that is her hope.
"I pray that's what I can do. He has controlled my life for the last 20 years," Dreu said.
>> Video Below: FULL WITNESS STATEMENTS: Wendell Grissom is executed for 2005 deadly home invasion
She said the shooting made her live in constant fear.
But with her daughters by her side, Dreu said she wouldn't he been able to witness the execution without her family.
"I think it was a long time coming," Rylee said.
>> Video Below: ODOC Director Steven Harpe speaks after Wendell Grissom's execution
Grissom's time of death was 10:13 a.m. His last meal was a medium-thick Canadian bacon supreme pizza, a pint of vanilla ice cream and a Coke.
A spiritual adviser was also in the room with Grissom at the time of his execution.
Oklahoma Department of Corrections Director Steven Harpe said Grissom had been telling staff at the prison that he was ready for this day to come.
“Wendell Grissom faced his death brely. He repeatedly expressed his remorse and made peace with his execution. These executions are becoming too routine. One senseless killing is enged by another senseless killing. There is nothing routine about that," the Oklahoma Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty said in a statement.
>> Video Below: Oklahoma executes Wendall Grissom
Grissom's attorney said in a statement that the convicted killer was "a severely brain damaged man who struggled with depression and substance abuse since he was a child."
The attorney said the man who was executed is not the same person as the man who committed the crimes 20 years ago.
“We remember Wendell as a loyal and caring friend and a devoted son and brother who has spent the past two decades trying to atone for his harmful actions in November 2005. Wendell’s execution perpetuates a cycle of pain and trauma. We hold out hope for a day when we no longer purport to advance justice by taking one life for another," Kristi Christopher, an attorney Grissom, said.
Harpe said there were no issues or complications with the execution.
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