Bergstrom files Lauria and Ashley’s Law

OKLAHOMA CITY- Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, filed Senate Bill 1199, which adds accessory to murder in the first and second degree to the list of crimes that requires offenders to serve 85% of their sentence before parole can be considered. The legislation is named for Lauria Bible and Ashley Freeman, 16-year-olds who disappeared in 1999.

“This piece of legislation is incredibly important to me as one of the victims, Lauria Bible, was a student of mine. I know how difficult this entire case was for the family, for the community, from the murder of the Freemans, the girls’ kidnapping, and now more than two decades without being able to bury these girls, without the final answers,” Bergstrom said.

Bergstrom added that the need for this legislation became obvious after one of the only remaining suspects in this case was released from prison earlier this year.

“No family should have to face what the Bible and Freeman families did as they saw one of the few people who may have information on the girls' whereabouts walk free,” Bergstrom said. “Those who are involved in murders should be held responsible and serve their time, not have their sentence slashed because they behave in prison. I will continue advocating for Lauria, Ashley, and their families, as well as other Oklahoma families, as this bill makes its way through the legislative process.”

Bergstrom’s legislation can be considered during the 2024 legislative session, which convenes February 5.

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For more information, contact: Sen. Micheal Bergstrom at 405-521-5561 or email Micheal.Bergstrom@oksenate.gov