Jeffery Lee Wood was born on August 19, 1973, in San Antonio, Texas. He grew up in a challenging environment and experienced severe physical and emotional abuse from his father during his childhood and teenage years. This difficult upbringing affected him greatly.

From a young age, Wood was diagnosed with a learning disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). He also faced significant mental health challenges. He was diagnosed with a severe overanxious disorder with avoidant features, which resulted from his problematic behaviors and feelings of inferiority. Due to these issues, Wood qualified as emotionally disturbed and was placed in special education classes.

In 1994, when Wood was 21 years old, he became a father for the first time. He had a daughter with his girlfriend at that time.

On January 2, 1996, Jeffery Lee Wood was involved in the murder of Kriss Lee Keeran at a Texaco convenience store in Kerrville, Texas. Wood and Daniel Earl "Danny" Reneau, who were friends, had discussed robbing the store. They received information from an assistant manager, William "Bill" Bunker, about how to access the store's safe and surveillance system. They planned the robbery for after the holiday season.

In the early hours of that day, the plan fell apart when Keeran, the clerk, decided not to participate in the robbery. Later that morning, after returning to the store, Reneau entered with a gun and demanded that Keeran go to the back office. When Keeran refused, Reneau shot him in the face. Wood, who had remained outside in the truck, entered the store after hearing the gunfire. Reneau ordered Wood to help him take money from the store’s safe, which contained about $11,350.

Both Wood and Reneau were arrested on the same day as the murder. Police found the murder weapon after Wood led them to where Reneau had discarded it. During interrogation, Wood made two statements that he later claimed were made under duress. During his trial, his lack of prior violent offenses and his diagnosis of several mental health issues were discussed. Wood was found to be incompetent to stand trial initially but was later deemed competent.

At trial, Wood's defense was limited as several witnesses were not allowed to testify. The court found him guilty of capital murder. He was sentenced to death under the Texas law of parties, which allows for shared liability in a crime. Wood's execution was scheduled for August 21, 2008, but received a stay. He faced another execution date in 2016, which was again stayed due to concerns about due process and false testimony presented during his trial.

Over the years, Wood filed multiple appeals and clemency petitions, receiving support from various public figures and organizations. As of 2024, Wood remains on death row, with no execution date currently set.