GUILTY OK - Eric Harris, 44, fatally shot by Tulsa Co. deputy, 2 April 2015

[Greater Than]

CBS News has learned that a 2009 investigation by the Tulsa Sheriff's Office concluded that there were concerns over Robert Bates behavior in the field.

[...]

The investigation concluded Bates' training was questionable and that he was given preferential treatment.
The investigation found that deputies voiced concerns about Bates' behavior in the field, almost from the very beginning. Bates reportedly used his personal car while on duty and made unauthorized vehicle stops. When confronted Bates said that he could do what he wanted, and that anyone who had a problem with him should go see the sheriff.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/tulsa-sheriffs-office-had-investigated-robert-bates-in-2009/

 

[Rocco]

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/tulsa-sheriffs-office-had-investigated-robert-bates-in-2009/

Interesting link. Thanks, Greater Than.

I wish CBS News would do an investigation and find out why Bates was a cop for only one year in 1964-1965.

 

[Rocco]

Robert Bates, the Oklahoma reserve sheriff's deputy who says he mistook his gun for his Taser when he shot and killed a man earlier this month, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to second-degree manslaughter.

A judge set a hearing for July 2. The judge allowed Bates to take a previously planned vacation to the Bahamas. Bates did not address reporters as he entered and left court.

More at link... vacation? Really? IMO.

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...deputy-pleads-not-guilty-manslaughter-n345471

What's with his family hanging all over him all the time? First in the interview he gave with his daughters constantly rubbing his back and shoulders during the interview and again in the clip in this link.
Weird.

 

[i.b.nora]

​Deputy who fired gun instead of taser was investigated in 2009
CBS News
By OMAR VILLAFRANCA April 22, 2015, 6:46 PM

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/tulsa-sheriffs-office-had-investigated-robert-bates-in-2009/

TULSA, Okla. -- CBS News has learned that a 2009 investigation by the Tulsa Sheriff's Office concluded that there were concerns over Robert Bates behavior in the field. ...

Since the incident there have been allegations that Bates was not properly trained. CBS News learned that in 2009, the Tulsa Sheriff's Office launched an internal investigation to find out if Bates received special treatment during training and while working as a reserve deputy. They also investigated whether supervisors pressured training officers on Bates' behalf.

- The investigation concluded Bates' training was questionable and that he was given preferential treatment.

- The investigation found that deputies voiced concerns about Bates' behavior in the field, almost from the very beginning. Bates reportedly used his personal car while on duty and made unauthorized vehicle stops. When confronted Bates said that he could do what he wanted, and that anyone who had a problem with him should go see the sheriff.

- The investigation concluded that high ranking officers created an atmosphere where employees were intimidated in order to violate department policy.​

More...

 

[i.b.nora]

What's with his family hanging all over him all the time? First in the interview he gave with his daughters constantly rubbing his back and shoulders during the interview and again in the clip in this link.
Weird.

He is the six million dollar man.

 

[Tawny]

​Deputy who fired gun instead of taser was investigated in 2009
CBS News
By OMAR VILLAFRANCA April 22, 2015, 6:46 PM

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/tulsa-sheriffs-office-had-investigated-robert-bates-in-2009/

TULSA, Okla. -- CBS News has learned that a 2009 investigation by the Tulsa Sheriff's Office concluded that there were concerns over Robert Bates behavior in the field. ...

Since the incident there have been allegations that Bates was not properly trained. CBS News learned that in 2009, the Tulsa Sheriff's Office launched an internal investigation to find out if Bates received special treatment during training and while working as a reserve deputy. They also investigated whether supervisors pressured training officers on Bates' behalf.

- The investigation concluded Bates' training was questionable and that he was given preferential treatment.

- The investigation found that deputies voiced concerns about Bates' behavior in the field, almost from the very beginning. Bates reportedly used his personal car while on duty and made unauthorized vehicle stops. When confronted Bates said that he could do what he wanted, and that anyone who had a problem with him should go see the sheriff.

- The investigation concluded that high ranking officers created an atmosphere where employees were intimidated in order to violate department policy.​

More...

Wow... That's interesting.

 

[Snoods]

What's with his family hanging all over him all the time? First in the interview he gave with his daughters constantly rubbing his back and shoulders during the interview and again in the clip in this link.
Weird.

Did you catch what he said during the rubdown interview? That accidentally shooting and killing someone was the 2nd worst thing that has ever happened to him. (Cancer being the worst). *Cringe* He couldn't just suck it up and say it was the worst thing?

At this point I do believe it was an accident, but yikes he could be handling this better.

Why on earth was this 73 year old volunteer reserve policeman entrusted with a gun and going on dangerous undercover stings, is what I'm wondering...

 

[SStarr33]

Did you catch what he said during the rubdown interview? That accidentally shooting and killing someone was the 2nd worst thing that has ever happened to him. (Cancer being the worst). *Cringe* He couldn't just suck it up and say it was the worst thing?

At this point I do believe it was an accident, but yikes he could be handling this better.

Why on earth was this 73 year old volunteer reserve policeman entrusted with a gun and going on dangerous undercover stings, is what I'm wondering...

What an effing idiot. I don't care about the rub down, but the fact that he would say something like that shows what poor judgement that he has. :banghead:

 

[i.b.nora]

This is a great article about the guy who supposedly "trained" Bates. It's long, convoluted and colorful:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articl...igned-off-on-tulsa-killer-cop-s-training.html

ACCUSED MURDERER SIGNED OFF ON TULSA KILLER COP’S TRAINING

The Daily Beast
By M.L. Nestel
04.23.15

Tiny snip:

"The elderly Tulsa reserve deputy charged with manslaughter went on national television recently and dropped a bombshell. The thing is, no one noticed it was a bombshell at the time.

In an interview with Matt Lauer on the Today show, 73-year-old Robert Bates apologized to the family of Eric Harris, the man he accidentally gunned down on April 2 in a botched gun sting.

But in a moment that went unremarked on air, Bates also named former deputy Warren Cole Crittenden, a 44-year-old accused murderer, as his supervisor during his training. “I have a piece of paper by Mr. Warren Crittenden—[he’s] now in jail for first-degree murder 40 miles east of here, in Mayes County—signed off to say I’d done a good job,” Bates said.

Bates’s potentially poor preparation for his reserve duties has generated almost as much controversy as his shooting of Harris."​

Much much more ...

 

[Rocco]

http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/24/us/tulsa-shooting-robert-bates-2009-inquiry/


Contrary to claims by the sheriff's office that Bates had the required training to be in the field, the 2009 memo indicates otherwise.

The document names then-Chief Deputy Tim Albin (currently undersheriff) and then-Capt. Tom Huckeby (now a major) as two supervisors who allegedly pressured lower-ranking officers to make exceptions or falsify records for Bates.

 

[EllieBee]

This is a great article about the guy who supposedly "trained" Bates. It's long, convoluted and colorful:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articl...igned-off-on-tulsa-killer-cop-s-training.html

ACCUSED MURDERER SIGNED OFF ON TULSA KILLER COP’S TRAINING

The Daily Beast
By M.L. Nestel
04.23.15

Tiny snip:

"The elderly Tulsa reserve deputy charged with manslaughter went on national television recently and dropped a bombshell. The thing is, no one noticed it was a bombshell at the time.

In an interview with Matt Lauer on the Today show, 73-year-old Robert Bates apologized to the family of Eric Harris, the man he accidentally gunned down on April 2 in a botched gun sting.

But in a moment that went unremarked on air, Bates also named former deputy Warren Cole Crittenden, a 44-year-old accused murderer, as his supervisor during his training. “I have a piece of paper by Mr. Warren Crittenden—[he’s] now in jail for first-degree murder 40 miles east of here, in Mayes County—signed off to say I’d done a good job,” Bates said.

Bates’s potentially poor preparation for his reserve duties has generated almost as much controversy as his shooting of Harris."​

Much much more ...

I mean, really? Are we serious? :thud:

This guy, with the Caribbean vacay....I just can't believe we aren't getting Punk'd.

"Hey, you shot a dude instead of tazing him, really old guy! What are you gonna do next? "
"i'm goin' to the Caribbean!"

Woo hoo!

I just dislike this man with the heat of a thousand suns.

 

[Rocco]

I mean, really? Are we serious? :thud:

This guy, with the Caribbean vacay....I just can't believe we aren't getting Punk'd.

"Hey, you shot a dude instead of tazing him, really old guy! What are you gonna do next? "
"i'm goin' to the Caribbean!"

Woo hoo!

I just dislike this man with the heat of a thousand suns.

Here's going to be the worst possible conclusion to this:

He gets a plea deal with community service, probation and a fine. I say that because his attorney said something today about "If this even goes to trial". I just get the feeling there isn't going to be a vigorous prosecution of this guy.

 

[Snoods]

Here's going to be the worst possible conclusion to this:

He gets a plea deal with community service, probation and a fine. I say that because his attorney said something today about "If this even goes to trial". I just get the feeling there isn't going to be a vigorous prosecution of this guy.

I agree with you.

 

[Snoods]

http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/24/us/tulsa-shooting-robert-bates-2009-inquiry/


Contrary to claims by the sheriff's office that Bates had the required training to be in the field, the 2009 memo indicates otherwise.

The document names then-Chief Deputy Tim Albin (currently undersheriff) and then-Capt. Tom Huckeby (now a major) as two supervisors who allegedly pressured lower-ranking officers to make exceptions or falsify records for Bates.

Yeah, I'm thinking there may be some fall-out from that aspect of this. Bates maybe could have been a parking enforcement officer, but the old dude had no business wielding a weapon in a dangerous situation like that.

I mean, really? Are we serious? :thud:

This guy, with the Caribbean vacay....I just can't believe we aren't getting Punk'd.

"Hey, you shot a dude instead of tazing him, really old guy! What are you gonna do next? "
"i'm goin' to the Caribbean!"

Woo hoo!

I just dislike this man with the heat of a thousand suns.

Lol! This just has me shaking my head. While I don't think it will have any bearing on what happened, it is just unseemly IMO.

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

District Attorney demands investigation into allegations reserve deputy 'who shot and killed suspect with a gun instead of using his Taser' received preferential treatment from colleagues

Investigation shows colleagues expressed concerns about Robert Bates

Probe reveals he was not given special treatment during his application

However report in 2009 says he was once he was employed in Tulsa

Supervisors allegedly intimated colleagues to benefit Bates

He has been charged with second-degree manslaughter in relation to the death of Eric Harris in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on April 2

District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler has begun contacting outside law enforcement agencies for further investigation


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...l-treatment-reserve-deputy.html#ixzz3YIsBN300

 

[Leilei]

Here's going to be the worst possible conclusion to this:

He gets a plea deal with community service, probation and a fine. I say that because his attorney said something today about "If this even goes to trial". I just get the feeling there isn't going to be a vigorous prosecution of this guy.

Hubby and I were discussing this, and neither of us believe that this guy will see any prison time. And we hate it.

 

[i.b.nora]

This case seems to have fallen off the radar, I guess while we wait for Mr Bates to go on vacation and hopefully return?

Anyhow, a few days ago there was an article about the Judge who had been randomly assigned the case. He was "wrestling" with whether or not he should recuse himself. I think the article has updated since I first saw it. It contains much more than the original article.

Read it here:

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/cour...cle_2bfbe4b6-db0b-5c25-aa6a-e73b6d8741eb.html

Judge assigned Eric Harris case weighs recusal because of ties to Sheriff's Office
Tulsa World
Thursday April 23, 2015
By COREY JONES World Staff Writer

snip

On Wednesday, Caputo filed a document outlining his relationships with the Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Stanley Glanz and Bates. He said he would fax the court filing to attorneys on both sides should they have further questions regarding his ability to serve.

The document states Caputo:

- was a Tulsa County deputy sheriff from 1993 until 1995, and then again in 1995 until 1999.
- has known Glanz for more than 23 years.
- has only had contact professional in nature with Glanz except for one social occasion.
- has never been on a trip or vacation with Glanz or Bates.
- has never received gifts or valuable things from Glanz or Bates.
- doesn’t have any type of relationship with Bates.
- has a daughter who works as a civilian employee of the Sheriff’s Office.

Caputo said he left the Sheriff’s Office for not quite a year to be an officer for the Owasso Police Department before returning. Caputo served his years at the Sheriff’s Office under Glanz.

Caputo said he has never been asked to recuse himself from a case.​

There is a link to the document he filed.

My personal opinion is if he truly values his integrity and it is his most important issue, he wouldn't need to struggle with a decision, he would have already recused himself. The whole thing really smells, imo. The fact that he hasn't yet, is astounding to me.

 

[i.b.nora]

From another source:

http://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news...g-recusal-from-robert-bates-case-at-this-time

Tulsa County Judge James Caputo not seeking recusal from Robert Bates' case at this time
NBC Tulsa
3:09 PM, Apr 24, 2015
5:47 PM, Apr 24, 2015

This article does point out that:

"Caputo also says it would be premature to recuse himself at this time as he has no jurisdiction of the case until it goes to trial.

Bates' preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 2. At that time, a probable cause magistrate will determine whether a crime was committed and if there is evidence to proceed to trial.

"Until this defendant has been bound over for trial, this Court has no jurisdiction in the matter therefore it would be premature for this Court to make a decision regarding recusal until such time as this Court has proper jurisdiction," said Caputo.​

 

[bwt42]

How much prison time would you & your husband like to see him get.

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

Second-in-command resigns from sheriff's department where 73-year-old reserve 'accidentally' shot a suspect dead

Tim Albin of the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office quit his job on Monday

Follows killing of suspect Eric Harris, 44, by reserve deputy Robert Bated

Bates claims he shot Harris by accident and meant to use his Taser

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...esigns-memo-fatal-shooting.html#ixzz3YYU6YY00