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Former Norman High School Student Sentenced Following Sexual Assault Conviction

Former Norman High School student Tristen Killman-Hardin
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Cleveland County Justice Center
Former Norman High School student Tristen Killman-Hardin

A former Norman High School student accused of sexually assaulting a classmate pleaded no contest Monday to two counts of first-degree rape.

A judge sentenced 19-year-old Tristen Kole Killman-Hardin to ten years. Eight of those are suspended, meaning he’ll spend a little less than two years behind bars due to credit for time already served. He’ll also be required to register as a sex offender for life.

Killman-Hardin allegedly assaulted a 16-year-old girl who was intoxicated and incapable of giving consent. Students and parents protested, saying Norman High administrators mishandled the response after the victim and two other girls came forward with the allegations.

The case garnered national attention after a Jezebel article recounted the incident in graphic detail. Residents launched the group YES ALL Daughters to spur change at the local and statewide level. The Norman Transcript’s Jessica Bruha reports organizers filed a new petition Monday:

Yes All Daughters launched a change.org petition to address the issue at a national level by supporting the Teach Safe Relationships Act of 2015, according to a press release sent out by the group Monday. “The bill requires schools across the nation to create curriculum that teaches kids about healthy relationships, how to spot abusive behavior and promotes understanding of consent and sexual assault,” the release states. “It will teach teens where to turn for help and ensure that help will be there.” The bill currently sits in the U.S. Senate, with no plan to move it forward. “It is imperative Congress passes this important legislation. Education is key to prevention,” the release states.

Last year Norman Public Schools said it would expand a task force studying a comprehensive sexual assault curriculum.

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Brian Hardzinski is from Flower Mound, Texas and a graduate of the University of Oklahoma. He began his career at KGOU as a student intern, joining KGOU full time in 2009 as Operations and Public Service Announcement Director. He began regularly hosting Morning Edition in 2014, and became the station's first Digital News Editor in 2015-16. Brian’s work at KGOU has been honored by Public Radio News Directors Incorporated (PRNDI), the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters, the Oklahoma Associated Press Broadcasters, and local and regional chapters of the Society of Professional Journalists. Brian enjoys competing in triathlons, distance running, playing tennis, and entertaining his rambunctious Boston Terrier, Bucky.
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