Pro Tem Paxton Commends Governor Stitt for Rejecting Parole Recommendation for Convicted Sirloin Stockade Killer

OKLAHOMA CITY - Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, commended Governor Kevin Stitt for rejecting the Pardon and Parole Board’s recommendation to parole Verna Stafford, who was convicted for her role in the infamous Sirloin Stockade mass murder in 1978.

In August, the Pardon and Parole Board voted 3-2 to recommend that Stitt parole Stafford on one of the two life sentences she is serving. Stafford is serving two life sentences for her part in nine murders.

“Governor Stitt got it right by standing with the victims’ families, when the Pardon and Parole Board got it wrong,” Pro Tem Paxton said. “Verna Stafford took part in one of the most nefarious strings of murders in our state’s history. The fact that the Pardon and Parole Board even voted to recommend her parole is a slap in the face to the families of the victims of these horrific crimes. With the governor’s decision, Stafford will remain where she belongs, behind bars for both life sentences.”

Pro Tem Paxton and Senator Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, who chairs the Senate Public Safety Committee, previously sent a letter to the Pardon and Parole Board opposing parole for Stafford,urging the board to deny her request and keep her incarcerated for the remainder of her life sentences.

“I am grateful Governor Stitt listened to the concerns of the victims’ families and rejected this recommendation,” Senator Hamilton said. “I also commend Pro Tem Paxton for his attention to this matter and standing up for the victims’ families. My prayers continue for these families who had to deal with this bizarre decision by the Pardon and Parole Board. No one convicted of these types of crimes should be shown any lenience whatsoever. Some crimes are so heinous that the punishment should mean exactly what the court intended, in this case it is life in prison.”

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