Justice Strengthened: Lauria and Ashley’s Law Officially Takes Effect in Oklahoma

A Long-Awaited Day for Victims’ Families

For Lorene Bible, November 1 can’t come soon enough.
That’s the day Lauria and Ashley’s Law—House Bill 1001—finally takes effect in Oklahoma, marking the culmination of more than two decades of relentless advocacy by Bible and state leaders determined to close sentencing loopholes that once denied families full justice.

The new law, authored by Rep. Steve Bashore, R-Miami, requires anyone convicted as an accessory to first- or second-degree murder to serve at least 85 percent of their prison term before becoming eligible for parole. Offenders will no longer be able to earn credits or time reductions that cut their sentences below that threshold.

A Law Born of Tragedy

The measure is named for Lauria Bible and Ashley Freeman, two 16-year-old girls from Welch who were kidnapped, tortured, and murdered on New Year’s Eve 1999. Their remains have never been recovered. Ashley’s parents, Danny and Kathy Freeman, were found shot to death in their burned mobile home that night—an atrocity that shocked Oklahoma and haunted families statewide.

“This has been such a long journey for this family that has endured so much,” Rep. Bashore said in a post announcing the law’s effective date. “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.”

Closing the Loophole That Reopened Old Wounds

The push for reform began after Ronnie Busick, convicted in 2020 as an accessory to felony murder in the case, received a 10-year sentence but served only three years before being released. Early release was granted through a combination of “good-days” credits and time already served in county jail—sending him back into the same community where Lauria and Ashley’s families still live.

“It was devastating,” Lorene Bible said. “We fought so hard so other families wouldn’t have to feel that heartbreak again.”

Now, with HB 1001 in force, anyone convicted as an accessory to murder in Oklahoma must serve nearly the entirety of their sentence—without the possibility of early release for good behavior.

Collaboration, Compassion, and Perseverance

Bashore crafted the bill alongside Lorene Bible and her cousin Lisa Broderick, drawing on their lived experience to ensure the law addressed gaps that had failed victims in the past. In the Senate, Sen. Kristen Thompson, R-Edmond, carried the legislation, helping it earn broad bipartisan support.

Bashore credited his colleagues and the Governor for prioritizing the measure. “This law strengthens punishment for those who help commit murder,” he said. “It’s about accountability and justice—plain and simple.”

A Legacy of Justice for Future Families

While the law cannot bring Lauria and Ashley home, it stands as a powerful testament to their memory and to the families who refused to give up.

“There are families who have contacted me that are waiting for this bill to take effect,” Bible said. “They are in the middle of the same thing we went through. I’ve told them—wait until November 1. This is why we fought so hard—to help other families. This is already a good thing.”

As Lauria and Ashley’s Law becomes law of the land, it sends a clear message: those who assist in taking a life will face the full weight of justice. For Lorene Bible, that message means her daughter and Ashley’s names will forever stand for protection, reform, and the power of perseverance.