In the wake of Kyle Rittenhouse’s acquittal in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Oklahoma Senator Nathan Dahm has filed a bill opening the door to Oklahomans who are acquitted in self-defense cases receiving compensation from the state for expenses and damages related to the prosecution. Dahm named Senate Bill 1120 after Rittenhouse, calling it Kyle’s Law.
Dahm believes the prosecution of Rittenhouse was politically motivated and wants to ensure Oklahomans don’t face that same situation when using deadly force in self-defense.
“Kyle Rittenhouse should never have been charged. The video evidence from early on showed it was lawful self-defense,” Dahm said. “It is our duty to protect the rights of the people we represent, and the right to self-defense is paramount. This bill will ensure that what happened to Kyle Rittenhouse cannot happen to the people of Oklahoma.”
SB 1120 would allow a person who was found not guilty due to justifiable homicide to be compensated by the state for all reasonable costs, including lost wages, legal fees and other defense related expenses. The claimant must establish the murder charge was initiated by the prosecutor without probable cause.
The bill could be considered during the next legislative session starting in February 2022.
