For Lorene Bible, Nov. 1 can’t come soon enough. That’s the date House Bill 1001 takes effect.
The bill, authored by Rep. Steve Bashore, R-Miami, adds accessory to murder in the first or second degree to the list of crimes requiring an offender to serve 85% of their prison sentence before being eligible for consideration for parole. Those convicted now will not be eligible to earn any type of credits that would reduce the sentence to below 85% of what was imposed.
The measure is named after Lorene’s daughter, Lauria Bible, and her friend Ashley Freeman. The girls from Welch were kidnapped, tortured, raped and killed New Year’s Eve 1999. They were both 16. Their remains have never 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.
“There are families that have contacted me that are waiting for this bill to take effect,” Lorene Bible said. “They are in the middle of the same thing we went through.”
She said she’s been telling them to wait until the law takes effect so they can get justice.
“This is why we fought so hard to get this law passed, so we could help other families,” Lorene Bible said. “This is already a good thing.”
Bashore worked with Lorene Bible, and her cousin, Lisa Broderick, in drafting the law and seeking its passage over the last several years.
“This has been such a long journey for this family that has endured so much,” Bashore said. “It’s gratifying to be here just days until this law takes effect that will strengthen the punishment for those who commit the crime of accessory to murder. Those who play a part in such heinous crimes should not get lessened sentences or be given time off for good behavior. I’m hopeful this will bring some measure of healing to these families.”
Lauria and Ashley’s law addresses the reduced prison sentence of a man charged with accessory to felony murder in the case. Ronnie Busick, in 2020, received 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.
HB1001 was authored by Sen. Kristen Thompson, R-Edmond, in the Senate. Bashore thanked Thompson and his House colleagues who prioritized and supported this important legislation. He also thanked the governor for signing it into law.
