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Thursday, October 29, 2026Oct 29

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Developments in tensions between police and communities

FILE - In this file screen shot from April 2, 2015 video provided by the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office, police restrain 44-year-old Eric Harris after he was chased down and tackled by a Tulsa County Deputy, and then shot by a reserve sheriff's deputy while in custody, in Tulsa, Okla. The sheriff's office said 73-year-old reserve deputy Robert Charles Bates fired the shot that killed Harris, believing he was using his stun gun instead of his service weapon when he opened fire. (Tulsa County Sheriff's Office via AP, File)
FILE - In this file screen shot from April 2, 2015 video provided by the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office, police restrain 44-year-old Eric Harris after he was chased down and tackled by a Tulsa County Deputy, and then shot by a reserve sheriff's deputy while in custody, in Tulsa, Okla. The sheriff's office said 73-year-old reserve deputy Robert Charles Bates fired the shot that killed Harris, believing he was using his stun gun instead of his service weapon when he opened fire. (Tulsa County Sheriff's Office via AP, File) FILE - In this file screen shot from April 2, 2015 video provided by the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office, police restrain 44-year-old Eric Harris after he was chased down and tackled by a Tulsa County Deputy, and then shot by a reserve sheriff's deputy while in custody, in Tulsa, Okla. The sheriff's office said 73-year-old reserve deputy Robert Charles Bates fired the shot that killed Harris, believing he was using his stun gun instead of his service weapon when he opened fire. (Tulsa County Sheriff's Office via AP, File)

Killings of unarmed black men by white police officers in the past year have touched off a national debate about police conduct, which has only escalated as additional interactions between police and suspects – lethal or otherwise – are captured on video by law enforcement or civilians. Here are some recent developments.

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OKLAHOMA RESERVE DEPUTY PLEADS NOT GUILTY

A 73-year-old volunteer reserve deputy who fatally shot a suspect who was pinned down by officers pleaded not guilty Tuesday to a second-degree manslaughter charge.

Robert Bates declined to comment before he made his initial court appearance in Tulsa district court. His next court date is scheduled for July 2.