Oklahoma City – The state will carry out the execution of Jim Pavatt on Thursday morning at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary. Pavitt was convicted of the 2001 murder of Rob Andrew, the husband of his former girlfriend Brenda Andrew.

Case background

The investigation began after a 911 call on Nov. 20, 2001, in which Brenda Andrew reported a violent scene in the garage of her home. She told dispatchers that she and her husband were in the garage and that he was covered in blood, but she could not identify the shooter, noting that the assailants wore black masks.

Rob Andrew was shot while retrieving his two children. Earlier that month, his vehicle’s brake lines had been cut, an incident he reported to police as a possible attempted murder. Prosecutors argued that the motive for the killing was an $800,000 life‑insurance policy that named Brenda Andrew as the trustee.

Conviction and sentencing

Pavitt, a veteran, was found guilty of first‑degree murder and sentenced to death. Throughout the trial and subsequent appeals, he has maintained his innocence. His family has released home videos portraying him as a devoted husband and father, but the courts upheld the conviction.

Brenda Andrew, who fled to Mexico with Pavitt after the murder, was also sentenced to death for her role in the crime. She was captured by Mexican authorities three months later and returned to Oklahoma to face trial.

Governor’s authority

Governor Kevin Stitt retains the power to grant clemency or a reprieve, but as of now no action has been announced. The execution is set for 10 a.m. Thursday, and the state’s Department of Corrections has confirmed that all procedures are in place.

Public response

The case continues to draw attention from both supporters of the death penalty, who view the execution as a necessary conclusion to a long‑standing tragedy, and opponents who question the fairness of the trial and Pavitt’s ongoing claims of innocence. Advocacy groups have called for a thorough review of the evidence, but no new legal motions have been filed.

Oklahoma’s death‑penalty system remains a point of contention statewide, with recent legislative proposals seeking to limit its use. This execution will be the first in the state since 2023, highlighting the ongoing debate over capital punishment in Oklahoma.

Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.