TULSA, Okla. (AP) – Lawyers for an Oklahoma reserve sheriff’s deputy who killed an unarmed suspect lying face-down on the ground and being restrained are expected to argue that the victim’s drug use and health could have contributed to his death.
Robert Bates, a 74-year-old insurance executive who moonlighted as a reserve Tulsa County sheriff’s deputy in his spare time, is due to stand trial Monday on a second-degree manslaughter charge in the shooting death of Eric Harris, who was killed after running from deputies during an illegal gun sales sting last April. Video of the killing was captured on deputies’ body cameras and can be viewed online.
After deputies caught up to Harris and were restraining him on the ground, Bates can be heard yelling “Taser!” before firing a single gunshot that struck Harris near his armpit, killing him. Bates later said he thought he was drawing his stun gun instead of his handgun.
If convicted of second-degree manslaughter, Bates could be sentenced to up to four years in prison.
Bates’ attorneys plan to call expert witnesses who will suggest that other factors could have contributed to Harris’ death, such as the methamphetamine that was found in his system or his cardiac health.