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Suspect in girls' disappearance makes first court appearance, maintains innocence

Posted at 3:54 PM, Apr 30, 2018
and last updated 2018-04-30 19:32:06-04

CRAIG COUNTY, Okla. -- The only living suspect in the disappearance of Lauria Bible and Ashley Freeman made his first court appearance Monday. 

Not only did 66-year-old Ronnie Busick face a judge, but also the girls’ families.

It seems the defense is trying to pin all of this on Philip Welch, but on the stand today Busick’s story stayed the same.

He said he understands the charges against him, but maintained his innocence. 

His attorney filed multiple motions, requesting access to witnesses and motions insinuating investigators conducted illegal interviews with Busick. 

They also requested recordings of the meeting he had with Lauria’s mother in addition to anything she’s found while conducting her own investigation. 

Bible says she has nothing to hide and she won’t hide from this courtroom. 

“I want him to know every day that he’s going to go to court and say I don’t know nothing - my presence says he knows something,” said Lorene Bible, Lauria's mother. 

She said people still need to come forward in this case, and asked that we show this 2001 mugshot of Busick to trigger people’s memories. 

She said he looks much different now than he did when witnesses claim he, Phil Welch and David Pennington bragged about what they’d done to the girls years ago. 

Busick is expected back here in court on May 11. 

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