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 Oklahoma Statutes (Last Updated: September 18, 2014)
 Title 21. CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS

  § 21-142A-14. Witnessing execution - Rules.  

Latest version.

  • A.  A judgment of death must be executed at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary at McAlester, Oklahoma, said prison to be designated by the court by which judgment is to be rendered.  A place shall be provided at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary at McAlester so that individuals who are eighteen (18) years of age or older and who are members of the immediate family of any deceased victim of the defendant may witness the execution.  The immediate family members shall be allowed to witness the execution from an area that is separate from the area to which other nonfamily member witnesses are admitted, provided, however, if there are multiple deceased victims, the Department of Corrections shall not be required to provide separate areas for each family of each deceased victim.  If facilities are not capable or sufficient to provide all immediate family members with a direct view of the execution, the Department may broadcast the execution by means of a closed circuit television system to an area in which other immediate family members may be located.

    B.  Immediate family members may request individuals not directly related to the deceased victim but who serve a close supporting role or professional role to the deceased victim or an immediate family member, including, but not limited to, a minister or licensed counselor.  The warden in consultation with the Director of the Department of Corrections shall approve or disapprove such requests.  Provided further, the Department may set a limit on the number of witnesses or viewers within occupancy limits.

    C.  Any surviving victim of the defendant who is eighteen (18) years of age or older may view the execution by closed circuit television with the approval of both the Director of the Department of Corrections and the warden.  The Director and warden shall prioritize persons to view the execution, including immediate family members, surviving victims, and supporting persons, and may set a limit on the number of viewers within occupancy limits.  Any surviving victim approved to view the execution of their perpetrator may have an accompanying support person as provided for members of the immediate family of a deceased victim.

    D.  As used in this section:

    1.  "Members of the immediate family" means the spouse, a child by birth or adoption, a stepchild, a parent, a grandparent, a grandchild, a sibling of a deceased victim, or the spouse of any immediate family member; and

    2.  “Surviving victim" means any person who suffered serious harm or injury due to the criminal acts of the defendant of which the defendant has been convicted in a court of competent jurisdiction.

Added by Laws 2010, c. 135, § 13, eff. Nov. 1, 2010.