The chief investigator said in an affidavit that Shelby then approached the auto, “cleared the driver’s side front and then proceeded toward the passenger side of the vehicle”.
Advertisement
Crutcher’s shooting death triggered police brutality protests across the country. The attorneys also provided an enlarged photo from the police footage that appears to show the SUV’s window rolled up, which would contradict Shelby’s claim that Crutcher was reaching inside his vehicle.
When asked to comment on the charges against Betty Shelby the lawmaker declined to respond.
“I appreciate their efforts as well as the District Attorney’s usual thorough evaluation of the rules of law for which we are all accountable”, Bartlett said in a written statement. Officer Shelby called for backup and waited 30 seconds before discharging her weapon. Police failed to find a weapon on Crutcher or in the auto.
“He was mumbling to himself and would not answer any of officer Shelby’s questions”, according to the affidavit.
As Crutcher is standing next to the driver’s side door, he suddenly drops to the ground and blood can be seen saturating his white shirt.
According to newson6.com, Shelby also received Oklahoma meritorious service award, as well as four letters of commendation for her service.
Tulsa police have said Crutcher was unarmed and there was no weapon in the vehicle. Another responding officer used a Taser at the same time. Police say Tulsa officer Shelby fired the fatal shot that killed 40 year-old Terence Crutcher, Sept. 16, 2016.
The charges came after police released videos showing Mr Crutcher walking away from Shelby with his arms in the air before being shot. In the video, the 40-year-old Crutcher is seen with his hands up, appearing to comply with police officers and leaning against his vehicle.
Crutcher’s death has become yet another flash-point in the civil rights movement in America. The officers found no weapons on or near Crutcher, says the affidavit.
According to the affidavit that prompted the arrest warrant, Shelby “reacted unreasonably by escalating” her interaction with Crutcher, “becoming emotionally involved to the point that she overreacted”. Prosecutors say she overreacted in a highly emotional scenario.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Shelby’s response to the situation has been interpreted differently by the officer’s attorneys, Crutcher’s family, and the public.
Advertisement
On September 16, she shot dead Terence Crutcher, an unarmed black man. Those riots were sparked by the shooting death of another African-American man, Keith Lamont Scott, by police, in this case police in Charlotte.
