Cathy Stocker is a former District Attorney for Blaine, Canadian, Garfield, Grant and Kingfisher counties in Oklahoma for 28 years before retiring in 2010, and a former member of the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board.[1][2]
Cathy Stocker | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | University of Oklahoma College of Law |
Career
editAs district attorney, Stocker served on a task force that developed "various projects to increase awareness of domestic violence issues, to improve enforcement and prosecution of domestic violence laws and to provide services to those who suffer from domestic violence."[3] Stocker and her staff "implemented a domestic violence prosecution program in Canadian and Garfield Counties" and also "implemented the Garfield County Drug Court."
She was "a founding member of the Garfield County Child Advocacy Council" and "an appointed member of the Oklahoma Ethics Commission," serving as chair multiple times.[4] Stocker was the District Attorney during the Saundra Kay Medlin case, which was later overturned. Medlin argued battered woman syndrome, was sentenced to four years, but was later exonerated.[5][6] At the time, Stocker said "her office was 'ready to vigorously pursue [Medlin's] case.'"[7] In 2007, Stocker’s office protested "the early release of 19 of the 22 inmates with convictions in her district seeking clemency from the state Pardon and Parole Board."[8]
In March 2022, Stocker was chosen by Governor Kevin Stitt for the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board. Stocker resigned from her position on the Oklahoma Ethics Commission, to take the parole board appointment.[9] She replaced Kelly Doyle, who resigned from the parole board the previous month.[10][11] Stocker was the only woman on the board.[12]
At her first pardon and parole board hearing, Stocker did not participate in voting.[13] In June 2023, Stocker voted against clemency for Richard Glossip, an inmate on death row[14] at Oklahoma State Penitentiary.[15] In July 2023, Stoker resigned from the board saying that her role was not a "good fit" with the rest of her life obligations.[16][17]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Former District Attorney Cathy Stocker appointed to Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board". Yahoo News.
- ^ "Stitt taps longtime prosecutor for Pardon and Parole Board". KFOR. 2022.
- ^ "D.A.'s office works to stave off domestic violence". Enid News & Eagle. 2010. Archived from the original on April 6, 2022.
- ^ "Stitt Appoints Former District Attorney To State Pardon & Parole Board". News 9. 2002.
- ^ "Court overturns woman's conviction in husband's death". The Oklahoman. 2002.
- ^ "Woman gets 4 years in husband's death". The Oklahoman. May 2, 2001.
- ^ Doucette, Bob (June 17, 1999). "Jury's Out on Spouse's Claim Abuse Defense Sees Limited Success in Criminal Cases". The Oklahoman. Archived from the original on April 6, 2022.
- ^ Rains, Cass (2007). "DA to protest parole for killers". Enid News & Eagle.
- ^ "Former District Attorney Cathy Stocker appointed to Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board". The Oklahoman. 2002.
- ^ "Stitt Appoints Former District Attorney To State Pardon & Parole Board". News 9.
- ^ Clay, Nolan (April 1, 2022). "Former District Attorney Cathy Stocker appointed to Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board". The Oklahoman.
- ^ Pope, Anna. "Former state prosecutor appointed to Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board". KOSU.
- ^ "As makeup of parole board shifts, members question policy". Tulsa Public Radio. April 11, 2022.
- ^ Oklahoma Department of Corrections. "Inmates Sentenced to Death". Retrieved June 9, 2022.
267303 - Glossip, Richard E.
- ^ McGuigan, Darla Shelden and Patrick B. (April 26, 2023). "Glossip denied clemency – attorneys file Unopposed Application for Stay of Execution". Oklahoma City Sentinel. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
- ^ "2 OK Pardon and Parole Board members resign amid Glossip lawsuit". 2 News Oklahoma KJRH Tulsa. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
- ^ "Bartlesville Radio » News » Buchanan Appointed to Pardon, Parole Board". Bartlesville Radio. Retrieved August 12, 2023.