Ex-Oklahoma deputy Robert Bates guilty of killing unarmed suspect
Source: CNN
Tulsa, Oklahoma (CNN)A jury in Oklahoma found a sheriff's deputy guilty of second-degree manslaughter Wednesday in the fatal shooting of an unarmed suspect.
Robert Bates, who was a volunteer reserve sheriff deputy for the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office last year at the time of the shooting, never denied killing Eric Courtney Harris.
Bates, 74, said he meant to use his Taser stun gun, not his revolver, on the suspect, who had been tackled by other deputies and was being held on the ground.
The jury deliberated less than three hours and recommended Bates be sentenced to four years in prision. Preliminary sentencing is set for May 31. After the verdict, Bates was escorted out of the courtroom by two deputies.
Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/27/us/tulsa-deputy-manslaughter-trial/index.html
JimDandy
(7,318 posts)MrScorpio
(73,631 posts)2naSalit
(86,612 posts)Judi Lynn
(160,530 posts)was a good friend to the sheriff.
Hope nothing comes up at the last minute to provide an escape for him.
oasis
(49,387 posts)ReRe
(10,597 posts)Am I the only one that's noticing a trend? The light sentences one gets if you're associated somehow with the "right wing " side of our government? McDonnell in VA, this cop in Tulsa, Denny Hastertt? And that's just today.
Kelvin Mace
(17,469 posts)especially RICH, white folk get special "justice".
ReRe
(10,597 posts)I'm tired. Maybe I need to hit the hay?
Dustlawyer
(10,495 posts)years, he will be 78, and statistically speaking he would be way down in single digits left. I don't know much about actuarial tables, but 78 he will probably still be alive.
The man made a monumental mistake playing out his cop fantasy, but he never intended to shoot his gun instead of his taser based on the tape. Also based that his buddy let him lose with no real training. If they believed he didn't intend to shoot him with anything other than a taser, then it would be some form of manslaughter. A death in prison (Life) sentence if given 15 years would be very likely at 89.
Not the example to use for what you are right about in general, that we have two different justices systems (at least). One doesn't get indicted or charged if they are wealthy, or a part of the system like cops, Assistant D.A.'s etc. Granted wealthy people and cops get off, even WHEN they intended to murder, not a horrible accident.
DVRacer
(707 posts)The sheriff has been replaced and most of the upper management as well since this happened. So this was the last piece of justice for Eric.
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)Being a cop he won't be in with the regular bad guys.