Lauria and Ashley’s Law Refiled

Rep. Steve Bashore, R-Miami,

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Steve Bashore, R-Miami, has refiled a bill 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. Those convicted also would not be eligible to earn any type of credits that would reduce the sentence to below 85% of what was imposed.

House Bill 1001 is named Lauria and Ashley’s Law after 16-year-olds Lauria Bible and Ashley Freeman, of Welch, 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 bill was filed on the first day new House measures were eligible to be requested for the 2025 legislative session, which convenes Feb. 3.

“I made a promise to the Bible family that I would continue to fight for justice for victims like Lauria and Ashley,” Bashore said. “For almost 25 years, these families have lived with the unimaginable pain of not knowing the full details of this crime or where their loved ones’ bodies are located. They’ve endured the long, arduous process of court cases and agonizing searches for the bodies of the missing girls. While this legislation can’t lessen their pain, they deserve to know that justice will be fully served in similar cases moving forward.”

Lauria Bible’s mother, Lorene Bible; her cousin, Lisa Bible-Brodrick; and other family members, have been vocal in support of the legislation. A similar bill passed the House last year with an overwhelming majority, but the bill was not considered in the Senate.

The legislation addresses the reduced prison sentence of a man charged with accessory to felony murder in the case. Ronnie Busick in 2020 recieved 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.

It is reported Busick received a lessened sentence in exchange for information leading to the discovery of the teens’ bodies. They still have not been found.

“This legislation will ensure going forward that anyone connected with a felony murder such as this will not be released prematurely from prison and will not receive any type of credits for time served,” Bashore said.

Lorene Bible said the family was never told that accessory to felony murder was not an 85% crime. They would never have agreed to Busick’s sentence had they known.

Bible said when the family found out Busick would be released after just three years in prison, they were furious, but they soon realized there was nothing they could do. She said the family  wants criminals who go along with these crimes to know that if they get caught they will do as much time as the person who commits the murder.

HB1001 will be available for consideration during the first session of the 60th Legislature. If enacted, Lauria and Ashley’s Law would go into effect Nov. 1, 2025.

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Steve Bashore serves District 7 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes Ottawa County and parts of Craig and Delaware counties.