Okla. Stat. tit. 21, § 21-142A-14
This is the official text of Okla. Stat. tit. 21, § 21-142A-14, part of Oklahoma’s Stat. tit. 21, — part of the compiled statutory law of Oklahoma, published by the state as "Stat. tit. 21,." Browse the sections below, each linked to its official government source.
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Witnessing execution - Rules
Official statutory text
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
Oklahoma Statutes - Title 21. Crimes and Punishments Page 165
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 by birth or adoption, a
stepparent, a grandparent, a grandchild, a sibling, or a stepsibling
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.
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
Oklahoma Statutes - Title 21. Crimes and Punishments Page 165
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 by birth or adoption, a
stepparent, a grandparent, a grandchild, a sibling, or a stepsibling
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.
Status: in_force · Read it on the official government site
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