OSBI Responds to Criticism, Defends Record

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation has released information on its homicide and suspicious death clearance rates in response to growing criticism over the agency's ability to solve crimes in a timely fashion.

Tuesday, April 6th 2010, 3:46 pm

By: News 9


By Dave Jordan, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation has released information on its homicide and suspicious death clearance rates in response to growing criticism over the agency's ability to solve crimes in a timely fashion.

The bureau reported solving 96 percent of homicides in 2005, higher than the state and national average. That number fell to 83.7 percent last year. OSBI only released numbers dating back five years.

The OSBI insisted the information wasn't released to counter negative media coverage over its handling of the Aja Johnson case, but rather, it was a response to media requests.

"We've always considered ourselves the tool in the toolbox of law enforcement," said Jessica Brown, OSBI spokesperson.

A further breakdown of the numbers showed OSBI solved nearly 700 murders and suspicious deaths. But three high profile murders involving two Weleetka school girls and an Anadarko pastor remain unsolved. However, investigators with the SBI remain optimistic.

"We still believe that Weleetka can be solved. We still believe that Anadarko can be solved and we're working on many of these cases," Brown said.

Last week, Rep. Richard Morrissette called for an investigation into the agency after OSBI failed to find 7-year-old Aja Johnson alive.

"We need to get some answers from this agency other than the cries and hues of more and more money," said Rep. Richard Morrissette (D), who is on the public safety committee in the state House.

State Representative Randy Terrill, the chair of the public safety committee, admitted that OSBI has made errors in the past, but he praised its work overall.

"OSBI has been in some very difficult situations. I am confident that they did the best job that they can understand some very difficult circumstances," Terrill said.

Terrill said he has no plans to call for an investigation.

OSBI said it would welcome an investigation.

Jessica Brown said the reason the agency only released stats from the last five years is because that was the time period for which they were able to get the most accurate information in a timely fashion.

The OSBI said it's close to making an arrest in another high profile case. On Tuesday the agency got a warrant for the arrest of a man in connection with a homicide from the early 90s.

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