In a decisive move toward toughening the penalties for those implicated in heinous crimes, the Oklahoma Senate passed a bill to ensure that anyone convicted as an accessory to first or second-degree murder will be required to serve at least 85% of their prison sentence before parole eligibility. As reported by the Oklahoma House of Representatives, this legislation, named Lauria and Ashley's Law, is a step closer to becoming state law after receiving approval from the Senate with a dominant 38-5 vote.
Propelled by the heinous crime involving the deaths of Lauria Bible and Ashley Freeman, and the commitment made to the victims' families by Rep. Steve Bashore, R-Miami, this bill sends a clear message to offenders and the community. "After working on this legislation nonstop for the past few years, I'm incredibly excited to see it this close to final passage," Rep. Bashore stated. Lorene Bible, Lauria Bible's mother, and her cousin, Lisa Broderick, watched, recognized from the House floor, and were credited with helping craft the bill's final draft, as stated by the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
While the bill's supporters herald it as a protective measure for communities and a tribute to the memory of the victims, it also addresses a controversial plea deal given to Ronnie Busick, the man charged as an accessory to the 1999 murders. Busick was released after serving only three years of a 10-year prison term due to a sentence reduction in exchange for information on the whereabouts of the teens' bodies—a claim which has yet to result in discovery. Lorene Bible shared with the Oklahoma House of Representatives, "We're very thankful to Representative Bashore as well as Senator Thompson and all those in both the House and Senate who worked with us to pass this bill."
Under the shadow of this legislative milestone, the bill now returns to the Oklahoma House for its fourth reading and the anticipation of final passage looms. With the tragic deaths of the two teenage girls and the subsequent frustration over the perpetrators' sentences, proponents like Sen. Kristen Thompson, R-Edmond, push the narrative forward, advocating for robust judicial reform. "Lauria and Ashley’s Law honors the memory of the victims and reinforces Oklahoma's commitment to holding everyone involved in violent crimes accountable," she said after the Senate passed the bill, as per the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Critics of the prior leniency hope that the governor's signature will not only prevent reduced sentences but also serve as a deterrent to future crimes.
