A law that would add accessory to murder in the first or second degree to the list of crimes that would require an offender to serve 85% of their prison sentence before being eligible for consideration for parole passes a first step in becoming a law in Oklahoma.

 

House Bill 1001  is named Lauria and Ashley's Law after 16-year-olds Lauria Bible and Ashley Freeman, of Welch,  passed in the Oklahoma House Civil Judiciary Committee on a vote of 6 to 1, with one Democrat dissenting.

 

The law is named for the two girls who were kidnapped, tortured, raped and killed on New Year's Eve 1999. It is presumed their bodies were dumped in a Pitcher mine pit, but their remains have not been recovered. Ashley's parents, Danny and Kathy Freeman, were shot to death in the crime. Their remains were found in their mobile home that had been set on fire.

 

The legislation addresses the reduced prison sentence of a man charged with accessory to felony murder in the case. Ronnie Busick in 2020 received a 10-year prison sentence with five years' probation, but only one year supervised. Because of good-days earned while incarcerated as well as time credited while in a county jail, Busick was released after just three years in prison. He was released back into the community where the crimes were committed, in close proximity to where family members of the victims still live.

 

Lauria and Ashley's Law is now eligible to be considered in the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight.