Serine
Tulsa County District Court has denied a motion to release April Wilkens, a woman convicted of killing her abusive ex-fiancé in 1998, ahead of her upcoming resentencing hearing.
]Despite hopes that she might be granted freedom, Wilkens will remain in prison while her legal team prepares for the next phase of her case under the Oklahoma Survivors’ Act.
“We’re disappointed but undeterred,” said Colleen McCarty, one of Wilkens’ attorneys. “We remain committed to seeking justice and believe the evidence will ultimately speak for itself.”
Background of the Case and Legal Delays
Wilkens, now 55 years old, has spent 27 years behind bars for the fatal shooting of her ex-fiancé, Terry Carlton, whom she shot eight times.
Although she never denied the act, she maintains it was done in self-defense after enduring domestic violence, including being raped and held against her will.
Wilkens’ defense team argues that the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office, led by Steve Kunzweiler, has unjustly delayed her resentencing despite the legal right granted to her under recent legislation. Kunzweiler insists the state is following legal procedure.
“This attempt was meant to bypass proper legal process,” said Kunzweiler, defending the court’s timeline.
Oklahoma Survivors’ Act: A Lifeline for Abuse Victims
Passed into law in August 2024, the Oklahoma Survivors’ Act allows survivors of domestic abuse to seek retroactive sentence reductions if their criminal actions were directly linked to the abuse they suffered.
Wilkens was the first individual to file for such relief, with her application spanning over 400 pages, including police reports, trial documents, and photographic evidence.
Another survivor, Lisa Rae Moss, became the first to be released under the law earlier this year.
Ongoing Legal Developments
While several other retroactive hearings are progressing, Wilkens’ case has seen delays. Kunzweiler attributes this to incomplete initial documentation from the defense.
“They originally claimed to have all necessary materials. Upon review, we found the file lacked crucial content,” Kunzweiler explained.
Wilkens appeared in court shackled and silent during the hearing. Her next court date is set for early September, when her legal team hopes to push forward with the resentencing.
The case of April Wilkens remains a powerful example of the legal challenges faced by domestic violence survivors seeking justice under newly enacted laws.
As the first individual to seek sentencing relief under the Oklahoma Survivors’ Act, Wilkens’ situation continues to garner attention from advocates and lawmakers.
The upcoming September hearing may mark a turning point in her decades-long fight for recognition and freedom.