Lauria and Ashley’s Law, a bill named for two Northeast Oklahoma teens who disappeared in 1999, passes the Oklahoma House floor.
The bill, co-authored by Representative Steve Bashore of Miami, would require felons serving an accessory to murder in the first or second-degree sentence to serve 85% of their prison sentence before being eligible for parole.
House Bill 2946 also says felons would not be eligible to earn any credit that would reduce their sentence below 85% of what was imposed.
Lauria Bible and Ashley Freeman disappeared December 29, 1999, from Freeman’s rural Welch home. The Freeman homestead was set on fire, Ashley's parents Danny and Kathy Freeman were shot and the girls were kidnapped.
Authorities believe the girls ultimately passed away in a Picher mobile home. Convicted felon Ronnie Busick plead guilty in 2020 and was sentenced to 10 years in prison on a reduced charge of accessory to felony murder. His sentence was reduced after he earned good behavior credits allowing him to be released in May 2023. As part of his plea agreement, Busick would have served even less time if he had led authorities to the location of the girls’ bodies. Due to the current law, he received 60 days credit for every month he was in prison.
A $50,000 reward remains in place.
If anyone has information on the location of Ashley Freeman and Lauria Bible, please call the OSBI at 800.522.8017.
