US 'gun error' officer turns himself in to face manslaughter charge

[webfact]

Reserve deputy turns himself in to face manslaughter charge
By JUSTIN JUOZAPAVICIUS and ALLEN REED

TULSA, Okla. (AP) — A 73-year-old Oklahoma volunteer sheriff's deputy who authorities said fatally shot a suspect after confusing his stun gun and handgun was booked into the county jail Tuesday on a manslaughter charge.

Robert Bates surrendered to the Tulsa County Jail and was released after posting $25,000 bond. Bates' attorney, Clark Brewster, told reporters that his client would not make a statement, then ushered him into a waiting SUV.

Brewster said Bates is due to make an initial court appearance April 21.

The Tulsa County Sheriff's Office said Bates, an insurance executive who was volunteering on an undercover operation in Tulsa, accidentally shot 44-year-old Eric Harris on April 2. Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler charged Bates on Monday with second-degree manslaughter, punishable by up to four years in prison.

A video of the incident recorded by a deputy with a sunglass camera and released Friday shows a deputy chase and tackle Harris, who authorities said tried to sell an illegal gun to an undercover officer.

A gunshot rang out as the deputy wrestled with Harris on the ground and a man says: "Oh, I shot him. I'm sorry."

Harris was treated by medics at the scene and died at a hospital.

In a phone interview after the booking, Brewster said "there's no question" his client is not guilty and described Bates' actions after the shooting as "honest and transparent."

A spokeswoman for Kunzweiler said he would not comment on the case Tuesday.

In the video, another deputy appears to restrain Harris by holding his head to the ground with his knee. When Harris complains that he has been shot and is struggling to breathe, a deputy replies in a profanity-laden outburst that he was shot because he ran and that he should stop talking.

A Harris family statement released Tuesday said while there are "many good deputies" at the sheriff's office "who perform their jobs in the right way," Harris' treatment "clearly shows that there is a deep-seated problem within" the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office.

"Sheriff (Stanley) Glanz's recent public statements also make it clear that he does not even see the problem and has no plans to change the practices within the TCSO," the statement said. "While Sheriff Glanz acknowledges that an 'error' was made when Eric was killed, he has yet to even apologize to our family."

A spokesman for the sheriff's office declined to comment on the statement Tuesday.

Andre Harris, the victim's brother, has said he does not believe the shooting was racially motivated. Bates is white and Harris is black.

Tulsa Police Sgt. Jim Clark, who investigated the shooting as an independent consultant at the request of the sheriff's office, concluded that Bates had been so engrossed in the stress of the moment that he did not think clearly about what he had in his hand when he fired his handgun rather than a stun gun.
___

Reed reported from Little Rock, Arkansas.

-- (c) Associated Press 2015-04-15

[HeijoshinCool]

This insurance salesman was all hyped up, just wanting to use his Taser on somebody.

I had reserves ride with me on most weekends. They were younger and well-trained, many having gone through the academy. But even then, never, never could a reserve participate in an undercover operation.

This is southern cronyism. The reserve here donated heavily to the sheriff's campaign. It is typical in the south, and often "reserves" are required to pay a fee to wear the badge.

This is what happens; people die, and police continue to lose more respect.

EDIT: spill checker.

Edited April 14, 2015 by HeijoshinCool

[Carib]

73 ??

[Dannyboy666]

Another Humiliating Death in America, Police State...

[Steely Dan]

It's an easy mistake to make. Having two cars I lose count of the number of times I pull out the wrong key.

[Steely Dan]

It's an easy mistake to make. Having two cars I lose count of the number of times I pull out the wrong key.

P.s Do Falang volunteer cops in Thailand get supplied with guns? I think they would be needed down Pattaya walking street.

[zaphod reborn]

This insurance salesman was all hyped up, just wanting to use his Taser on somebody.

I had reserves ride with me on most weekends. They were younger and well-trained, many having gone through the academy. But even then, never, never could a reserve participate in an undercover operation.

This is southern cronyism. The reserve here donated heavily to the sheriff's campaign. It is typical in the south, and often "reserves" are required to pay a fee to wear the badge.

This is what happens; people die, and police continue to lose more respect.

EDIT: spill checker.

Yep, you can't use volunteers for undercover ops. At 73, and given the lack of training and probable honest mistake due to old age, Bates will get a minimal sentence through plea-bargain, maybe 1-2 years. He'd be foolish to allow this to go to trial. The Tulsa County DA needs to step up to the plate. He should publicly apologize and get the civil rights/wrongful death case settled ASAP. Do it early, pay about $5mil to the survivors and work with the Sheriff's office to implement standards and training for volunteers.

[Thorgal]

It's an easy mistake to make. Having two cars I lose count of the number of times I pull out the wrong key.

So from now on we can use a gun in every situation, whetever the outcome...?

Somebody died due to a 'an easy', but tragic mistake...

Edited April 15, 2015 by Thorgal

[oneday]

"While Sheriff Glanz acknowledges that an 'error' was made when Eric was killed, he has yet to even apologize to our family."

That's inexcusable. The Sheriff should have apologized to the family. The Sheriff should be removed from his job.

[Wat dee]

I starting to get pro NRA.You do need gun in States, to protect yourself from law enforcement officers.