The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board on Tuesday voted 3-2 to recommend parole for Verna Stafford, 73, on the first of two life sentences she is serving. The recommendation now moves to Gov. Kevin Stitt, who may either accept or reject the panel’s decision.
What the vote means — and what it doesn’t
The board’s recommendation applies only to Stafford’s first life sentence; she remains incarcerated because she is serving a second life term that is not eligible for parole for another 15 years, according to updated case information disclosed during the parole process.
Even if the governor approves the parole recommendation, Stafford would not be released from custody as a result of the outstanding sentence. The Pardon and Parole Board’s role in this instance is to evaluate whether, for the eligible sentence, Stafford meets standards for clemency or conditional release under Oklahoma law.
Governor’s role and reaction
A spokesperson for Gov. Stitt’s office issued a brief statement after the board’s vote:
“Governor Stitt will follow the same process he uses after every parole recommendation.”
That statement indicates the standard review will be applied, but it does not signal how the governor will rule. The governor has statutory authority to accept or reject parole recommendations from the Pardon and Parole Board.
Case background and recent review
Stafford pleaded guilty in 1980 to two counts of second-degree murder in connection with killings that occurred in 1978. The murders involved multiple victims and have remained a high-profile case in Oklahoma for decades.
The current parole review began in June 2026, when the Parole Board confirmed Stafford had passed the initial stage of consideration. The board then advanced the matter for further evaluation and, on Monday and Tuesday of this week, heard testimony and statements from victims’ family members and the district attorney’s office before issuing its 3-2 recommendation.
Voices in the community
Senate President Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton has publicly opposed any release of Stafford. Victims’ families and the district attorney presented remarks to the board during the hearing, underscoring enduring community concern over the gravity of the crimes and the impact on survivors.
The parole hearings in high-profile cases typically weigh factors such as the inmate’s age, behavior in prison, rehabilitation efforts and the nature of the original offense. The Parole Board’s narrow vote reflects the often-contentious nature of such deliberations.
Timeline and sentence details
Below is a concise summary of the key dates and sentence elements the board considered during the review:
- 1978 — Fatal incidents occurred tied to the Sirloin Stockade killings and the Lorenz family murders.
- 1980 — Stafford pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder.
- June 2026 — Stafford passed the first-stage consideration by the Parole Board.
- Aug. 11, 2026 — Board issued a 3-2 recommendation for parole on the first life sentence; second life sentence remains in effect and not eligible for parole for 15 years.
| Sentence | Parole Eligibility |
|---|---|
| First life sentence | Board recommended parole; awaiting governor’s decision |
| Second life sentence | Not eligible for parole for 15 years |
Next steps
The governor’s office will review the Parole Board’s recommendation under customary procedures. If Gov. Stitt accepts the board’s recommendation for the first life sentence, administrative steps would follow, though Stafford would remain in custody while serving the second life term. If he rejects the recommendation, Stafford will continue to serve both sentences without change.
This decision is likely to draw continued attention from victims’ families, lawmakers and criminal justice observers given the case’s history and the narrow margin of the board’s vote.
As the governor’s review proceeds, affected parties and the public may seek additional clarity on the parole board’s reasoning and on how the remaining sentence will be managed administratively over the coming years.
