A bill increasing prison time requirements for domestic violence by strangulation is advancing to the Oklahoma Senate after clearing the Oklahoma House unanimously.
House Bill 3264, authored by Oklahoma Representative John George, would add domestic violence by strangulation to Oklahoma’s list of crimes that require offenders to serve at least 85 percent of their prison sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
“Strangling an intimate partner is among the most horrific acts of violence and can all too often be deadly,” George said. “Yet people convicted of this crime, in many cases, currently only have to serve about a third of any sentence imposed.”
The proposal would also prevent those convicted from earning credits that could reduce their sentence below the 85 percent threshold.
George said the legislation is based on a recommendation from the Oklahoma Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board.
Research cited by lawmakers shows strangulation is one of the most common and most dangerous forms of domestic assault. Victims can lose consciousness in less than 10 seconds and may die within minutes.
Studies also show victims who have previously been strangled are significantly more likely to be killed later by the same abuser.
“We’re talking about taking someone’s very breath away – the essence of their life,” George said. “All I’m asking is for the punishment to fit the crime.”
The Oklahoma House approved the measure on an 89-0 vote.
The bill now moves to the Oklahoma Senate, where it is authored by Oklahoma Senator Kristen Thompson.
