He said Crutcher repeatedly ignored Shelby’s commands and didn’t respond to her questions. Shelby allegedly turned around to look into the driver’s side and saw Crutcher walking toward her, the attorney said.
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Shelby faces between four years and life in prison if convicted.
Protesters who gathered Thursday said they’re unhappy that officer Betty Shelby wasn’t charged with first-degree murder in the September 16 death of 40-year-old Terence Crutcher.
In a statement announcing the felony charge, Kunzweiler said Shelby’s attorney is arranging for her surrender.
Shelby’s attorney and the Tulsa Police Department are standing behind her story.
The officers surround Crutcher – blocking a clear view from the camera – and he suddenly drops to the ground.
The key point will be whether or not a jury believes Officer Shelby reasonably feared for her life when Crutcher (allegedly) reached into his vehicle. A voice heard on police radio says: “Shots fired!”
A Tulsa police spokeswoman initially told reporters that Crutcher refused requests to put his hands in the air. Attorneys for the family claim the windows of his SUV were all the way up at the time (and offered a blown up image as proof) while Shelby’s attorney claims she fired after Crutcher’s hand went inside the open window.
Kunzweiler said a warrant has been issued for Shelby, a Tulsa police officer since 2011.
Wood emphasized that the encounter between Shelby and Crutcher began more than a minute before the start of the released video.
Police Sgt. Dave Walker has said investigators found a vial of the drug PCP in Crutcher’s vehicle.
He said Crutcher’s head was tilted but his eyes were on Shelby.
“We will continue to be transparent and ensure the system carries out its responsibility to provide justice”.
Crutcher was a church-going man and a father of four who was gunned down for being “a big bad dude”, his twin sister, Tiffany Crutcher, has said, referring to the “bad dude” comment from the police helicopter footage.
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“Despite the heightened tensions felt by all, which seemingly beg for an emotional response and reaction, our community has consistently demonstrated a willingness to respect the judicial process”, he said during a press conference. 19, 2016, that an investigation is underway into the shooting death.
