Friday, September 23, 2016

US Officer Who Killed Unarmed Black Man Charged With Manslaughter


Tulsa, Oklahoma, police officer Betty Shelby has been charged with felony manslaughter in the first degree, Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler announced on Thursday.

Shelby fatally shot 40-year-old Terence Crutcher after his SUV stopped in a roadway last week.

"We reviewed the facts of the allegations. It is our responsibility to determine if the filing of a criminal charge is justified under the law," Kurnzweiler said.

An arrest warrant was issued for Shelby and arrangements have been made for her surrender, he said. It was not clear when she would turn herself in.

The criminal complaint against Shelby said her "fear resulted in her unreasonable actions which led her to shooting" Crutcher. She is accused of "unlawfully and unnecessarily" shooting Crutcher after he did not comply with her "lawful orders."

Attorneys for Crutcher's family said they were "happy charges have been brought" against the officer and they will be seeking a "vigorous prosecution" of this case that results in a conviction.

The attorneys also expressed gratitude to the Tulsa Police Department.

"Today, we are thankful to TPD, we are thankful to (police) Chief (Chuck) Jordan for providing information to the District Attorney's office, and we are happy that charges were brought," attorney Damario Solomon-Simmons said during a news conference.

"This is a small victory," Crutcher's twin sister Tiffany told reporters.

"The chain breaks here. We're going to break the chains of police brutality," she added. "We know the history."

The possible penalty for conviction on first-degree manslaughter in Oklahoma is four years to life, according to Susan Witt, the public information officer for the district attorney's office.

Gov. Mary Fallin issued a statement, saying she prays that the decision to charge Shelby brings "some peace to the Crutcher family and the people of Tulsa."

She urged people to remain patient as the case goes forward. "And we must remember that in our justice system, officer Shelby is innocent until proven guilty," Fallin said.

Earlier this week, Shelby's attorney, Scott Wood said his client thought Crutcher was behaving strangely and ignored her commands, and that she was afraid that he might be reaching for a weapon.

Multiple police cameras, including ones mounted in squad cars and in a helicopter, captured the Crutcher shooting on tape. In the video, Crutcher can be seen with his hands raised above his head prior to his death. He walks away from Shelby towards his car.

None of the videos showed whether the vehicle window was open or closed.

There was no weapon found in the car.

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