OKLAHOMA COUNTY – An Oklahoma City woman serving a 27-year sentence for killing her ex-boyfriend is seeking early release under the state’s Survivors Act.
Tyesha Long was convicted in the 2020 shooting death of Ray Brown at the Hilton Garden Inn in Bricktown. Her legal team from Oklahoma Appleseed is asking the court to reduce her sentence, citing a history of domestic abuse.
During the two-day hearing, witnesses testified about the alleged abuse. A digital expert presented threatening text messages from Brown to Long and photos of bruises on her body. A domestic violence expert described Long’s accounts of being repeatedly punched, strangled, and raped.
Prosecutors argued the abuse was mutual and questioned Long’s credibility, pointing to inconsistencies in her statements. Court records show Long filed a protective order against Brown in 2019 and had previously sued him for allegedly trying to run her off the road. That lawsuit was later dismissed.
Long’s attorney also referenced a police report she filed against Brown, but the district attorney’s office said there wasn’t enough evidence to press charges.
In the courtroom was Lisa Wright, the first woman freed under Oklahoma’s Survivors Act. She expressed empathy for Long’s situation, saying, “Nobody understands what it feels like to be a survivor… you have to be okay out here, but nobody understands.”
Judge Susan Stallings will review all testimony and evidence before issuing a decision in September.
Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
Leave a Reply