A Tulsa County judge issued his ruling in the post-conviction hearing for Steven Jameson Friday afternoon.
BREAKING: Jameson has been granted post-conviction relief. Sentence is vacated. @KJRH2HD
— Darcy Jackson (@DJacksonKJRH) January 8, 2016
The decision hinged on Jameson's suspended license.
Caputo: it all came down to a 2009 statute that neither side researched properly. @KJRH2HD
— Darcy Jackson (@DJacksonKJRH) January 8, 2016
The statute, passed one month before Jameson was charged, only allows for a maximum sentence of five years. Jameson was serving eight years each on the three manslaughter charges.
"The prosecutor overreached and the judge misapprehended the law. And this is the tragic result and we're going to right that ship and get this young man's back going again,” said defense attorney Clark Brewster.
Kunzweiler: "This is a true Christmas tragedy. This case is not over." Says Criminal Appeals will decide. @KJRH2HD
— Darcy Jackson (@DJacksonKJRH) January 8, 2016
“If we are unsuccessful in our appeal, we will still be back here in Tulsa, Oklahoma and I will be prosecuting him based on the court's ruling for his driving that vehicle under the influence of marijuana,” said District Attorney Stephen Kunzweiler.
This is the second post-conviction relief hearing after the judge postponed it in November to give Jameson's defense attorney more time to file further paperwork.
Jameson has entered Judge Caputo's chambers. Hearing underway shortly. @KJRH2HD pic.twitter.com/87L438hess
— Darcy Jackson (@DJacksonKJRH) January 8, 2016
DA Kunzweiler says he will appeal and a new trial will happen. He will have until Jan. 25 to file amended charges. @KJRH2HD
— Darcy Jackson (@DJacksonKJRH) January 8, 2016
Jameson broke down in tears after hearing the ruling. His mother says she's grateful her son has another chance at freedom.
"He's obtained two college degrees while he's been incarcerated, and he wants to go to law school," she said. "He sees a great need to help and I think he'll accomplish that once this is behind him."
But for Linda Perkins, the ruling means a big setback in justice for her daughter and family.
"Every time we come to court, it's like reliving their deaths again," Perkins said. "We drive 300 miles to be here because we want the courts to know we loved our kids. They didn't deserve to die."
Jameson is not free to leave jail yet. Judge Caputo granted a stay to give the state time to file its appeal. Both sides will be back in court in two weeks.
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