Oklahoma House censures member for harboring fugitive at state Capitol

The Oklahoma House of Representatives censured a member Tuesday, accusing her of impeding law enforcement and harboring a fugitive in her House office.

House Speaker Charles McCall said in a statement a House member and an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper were assaulted after an otherwise peaceful protest turned violent.

Speaker McCall said one of the people involved was apprehended by law enforcement, but the other fled.

McCall said Rep. Mauree Turner, D-Oklahoma City, harbored a fugitive wanted for questioning in relation to the assault in her House office and rejected law enforcement requests to question the individual.

“This member knowingly, and willfully, impeded a law enforcement investigation, harboring a fugitive and repeatedly lying to officers, and used their official office and position to thwart attempts by law enforcement to make contact with a suspect of the investigation.” McCall said.

Rep. Turner spoke on the House floor ahead of the vote.

“What happened last week in my office was the same thing that happens all the time.” Turner said. “People do not feel represented or protected by the people in this body. They come to find refuge in my office. They come to decompress from some of the most stressful times.”

Rep. Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, presented the censure and responded to Turner’s comments.

“Protection is not the issue... Harboring a fugitive and committing a crime is.” Moore said.

There were some fireworks as this all unfolded in the House chamber.

Watch the House proceedings here

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