House Communications Division
Legislation approved by a House committee today would authorize state investigations in certain cases where the guilt of an incarcerated individual has been legitimately challenged.
“The rise of DNA technology has revolutionized crime investigation,” said state Rep. Lee Denney, R-Cushing. “While DNA testing typically allows police to identify suspects and determine guilt, it has also been used to prove the innocence of some individuals serving time in state prisons. This legislation will help free any wrongfully convicted individual.”
House Bill 2652, by Denney, would create the Oklahoma Innocence Collaboration Act within the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.
Under the proposed law, the OSBI would collaborate with higher education institutions or agencies to investigate, consult and screen scientific evidence that may conclusively prove a person convicted and presently incarcerated for a felony offense is factually innocent.
The program is not expected to require substantial funding since only a handful of cases would likely rise to the level requiring an investigation, and only a small amount of laboratory supplies would be required to process those cases.
“Oklahomans are tough on crime, but do not want innocent people in prison,” Denney said. “This legislation simply provides an additional safeguard to ensure our prisons are filled with individuals who actually committed a crime.”
House Bill 2652 passed out of the House Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee on Public Safety today. The measure will now go before the full House Appropriations and Budget Committee.
