Tulsa Reserve Deputy Robert Bates pleads not guilty in fatal shooting

Source: Tulsa World

A 73-year-old Tulsa County reserve deputy entered a not guilty plea at a Tuesday morning arraignment on a second-degree manslaughter charge after he mistakenly shot the target of a gun-buy sting, according to court records.

The fatal shooting occurred April 2 when Tulsa County Sheriff's Office Reserve Deputy Robert Bates mistook his gun for a Taser during an undercover operation, killing Eric Harris. Bates subsequently was charged with manslaughter charge by District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler. Tuesday was his first appearance, and a judge set a preliminary hearing for July 2.

... Speaking after the arraignment, Bates' attorney, Clark Brewster, said, "This gave us the opportunity to deal with the facts in the courtroom instead of the media." ... He also notified the judge that Bates would be going on vacation in the Bahamas for the next month, said attorney Corbin Brewster, a spokesman for the law firm and son of Clark Brewster.

The judge said he didn't think it would be a problem, Corbin Brewster said.

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