Senate Approves Religious Expression Measure
Senator Jonathan Nichols has won overwhelming approval for a measure to protect the right of victims to discuss their religious beliefs or reference the bible when giving impact statements in court. The measure, Senate Bill 2004, was approved Wednesday 43 to 2.
Nichols said he filed the legislation in response to last year’s decision by the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals to overturn the death penalty in the Trooper Nikky Joe Green murder trial.
The Court reversed the imposition of the death penalty for Green’s killer, Ricky Ray Malone, in part because Green’s widow referenced God and the Bible in her impact statement.
“There was absolutely nothing in state law that prevented Mrs. Green from discussing her faith during her impact statement,” said Nichols, R-Norman. “”My legislation protects the rights of victims to talk about their belief in God or the Bible.”
Nichols said he filed the legislation in response to last year’s decision by the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals to overturn the death penalty in the Trooper Nikky Joe Green murder trial.
The Court reversed the imposition of the death penalty for Green’s killer, Ricky Ray Malone, in part because Green’s widow referenced God and the Bible in her impact statement.
“There was absolutely nothing in state law that prevented Mrs. Green from discussing her faith during her impact statement,” said Nichols, R-Norman. “”My legislation protects the rights of victims to talk about their belief in God or the Bible.”
Labels: Jonathan Nichols, Religious Expression
posted by Mike McCarville @ 4:36 PM
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