Oklahoma Lawmaker Reintroduces Bill to Ensure Justice for Murder Accessories
OKLAHOMA CITY (KTUL) — Rep. Steve Bashore, R-Miami, has reintroduced a significant piece of legislation, House Bill 1001, known as Lauria and Ashley’s Law, aimed at mandating stricter sentencing for those convicted as accessories to murder. The bill stipulates that offenders must serve a minimum of 85% of their sentence before being eligible for parole. This initiative is in memory of Lauria Bible and Ashley Freeman, teenagers who were brutally kidnapped and murdered in 1999, with their remains never found.
Bashore expressed his commitment to advocating for justice on behalf of the victims’ families, stating, "For almost 25 years, these families have lived with the unimaginable pain of not knowing… They deserve to know that justice will be fully served in similar cases moving forward." The legislation is a direct reaction to the controversial reduced sentence received by Ronnie Busick, who was charged with accessory to felony murder related to the case. Originally sentenced to ten years, Busick was released after serving just three years, prompting outrage from the victims’ families.
"This legislation will ensure that anyone connected with a felony murder will not be released prematurely from prison and will not receive any credits for time served," Bashore added. Lauria’s mother, Lorene Bible, has voiced her support for the bill, indicating the family’s lack of awareness regarding the classification of accessory to felony murder, which influenced their perception of Busick’s sentencing.
The law, filed on the first day for new House measures ahead of the 2025 legislative session beginning February 3, aims to prevent similar injustices in the future. If passed, Lauria and Ashley’s Law would come into effect on November 1, 2025.
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Photo credit okcfox.com
