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OKLAHOMA CITY (KOCO) — Almost 50 years after six people were murdered at an Oklahoma City restaurant, one of the women convicted of the crime asked to be released from prison Monday.
The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board discussed whether Verna Stafford, who is now 73, should be free. The families of the people killed nearly five decades ago delivered a clear message to the board: keep her behind bars.
They said their pain and their fight are far from over.
One by one, the victims’ relatives stepped to the podium, recounting the horror of the Sirloin Stockade murders and the pain they still carry nearly 50 years later. Prosecutors joined their call, urging the board to deny Stafford parole.
“Why are we even considering this?” said Erin Salsman, who is related to David Salsman.
Verna is serving two life sentences for her role in the murders.
Six restaurant employees were forced into a meat freezer and shot. Five died at the scene, and the sixth later died at a hospital.
Stafford recently passed the first stage of the parole process, but the families of those killed said the pain has never gone away.
“The generational curse that has been passed down from these murders—it runs deep for all of us,” Elizabeth Payne, family of Anthony Tew, said.
The board emphasized that the hearing is part of Stafford’s due process.
“We’re not here to debate this. The fact is some people may see it as if she were moved to her second life sentence, it would spare the victims from coming in every three years. That’s one position. It’s not necessarily the position the board will allow,” Robert Reavis, a member of the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board, said.
But the families said they are going to make sure she stays behind bars.
“We write letters every three years to keep her in prison, and we will keep doing that,” said Elizabeth Payne. “We understand that she’s serving two life sentences and that this parole is for the one life sentence. However, we also understand that if they, for over on the first life sentence, there is not a guarantee of 15 years before she could be released again.”
Stafford is expected to appear before the board on Tuesday. The board will then make its decision.
Family members of those killed said they will be in attendance.
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