Victims’ rights advocates push for Oklahoma’s own Marsy’s Law

TULSA — Victims’ rights advocates formally kicked off their campaign for passage of State Question 794, otherwise known as Marsy’s Law, on Wednesday with press conferences in Tulsa and Oklahoma City.

SQ 794, which is expected to be on the statewide ballot in November 2018, is a proposed state constitutional amendment that proponents say puts victims’ rights on par with those of the accused.

It would replace an existing victims’ rights passage in Article II, Section 34, with stronger and more detailed language. It requires victims be notified when persons who have committed a crime against them are released or when legal proceedings related to the case are scheduled, and provides for safeguards against intimidation or harassment.

Marsy’s Law is named for Marsy Nicholas, a California college student murdered by her ex-boyfriend in 1983. The exboyfriend was released on bail soon after his arrest — a fact Nicholas’ family learned only after he confronted them in a grocery store a week after the murder.

At Tuesday’s Tulsa event, Sheri Farmer spoke about her family’s experience following the 1977 murder of her daughter, Lori, and two other girls at a Girl Scout camp near Locust Grove.

The man accused of the murders, Gene Leroy Hart, was acquitted at trial and died soon after in prison, where he was serving time for other crimes.

“Every victim of crime deserves compassion and respect,” Farmer said.

Others who spoke were Tulsa County Sheriff Vic Regalado, who endorsed the measure, and Tulsa City Councilor Karen Gilbert, a friend of Farmer’s.

State Rep. Scott Biggs, R-Chickasha, House sponsor of the legislative referendum that put SQ 794 on the ballot, attended the press conference, as did state Rep. Tim Downing, R-Purcell.