Lauria And Ashley's Law To Be Refiled In Oklahoma's Next Legislative Session

A State Representative has re-filed a bill that would require anyone convicted of accessory to murder to serve at least 85 percent of their sentence.

The bill is in honor of 16-year-olds Lauria Bible and Ashley Freeman, who went missing from Welch in 1999.

Ronnie Busick was the only person charged in the case and he only served two years and four month in prison for accessory.

"I made a promise to the Bible family that I would continue to fight for justice for victims like Lauria and Ashley," Rep. Steve Bashore, R-Miami 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."

Busick's time in prison was so short because he received credit for time served and good behavior while in custody.

The bill stalled in the state senate in 2023 but will be re-submitted this legislative session that begins in February.

If it passes, it would go into effect next year.

Related: Lauria And Ashely's Law Stalled In State Senate