GUILTY OK - Jeremey Lake, 19, fatally shot by off-duty Tulsa PD officer, 5 Aug 2014 *arrest*

[Woodland]

Defense Rests In Shannon Kepler Murder Trial

The problem is the gun he says Lake pulled out never surfaced. His attorney, Richard O’Carroll, wasn't allowed to explore some theories about what happened to it.

"I think he did the best he could do, given the restrictions. I will say, honestly, I don't think he's getting a fair trial by a long stretch," O’Carroll said.

http://www.newson6.com/story/336699...-testifies-for-the-first-time-in-murder-trial

 

[Hatfield]

....snipped for focus.....

Imo, pretty lame on the `he (JL) reached for his waistband` excuse. Good luck with that.

Exactly and not only that, the officer (at the time) was the one that drove up in a rage and obviously jumped out of his car in threatening manner so even if there was a weapon that Lake had (which I totally doubt) then Lake had a right to self defense with the current stand your ground laws in that state.

 

[Hatfield]

Defense Rests In Shannon Kepler Murder Trial

The problem is the gun he says Lake pulled out never surfaced. His attorney, Richard O’Carroll, wasn't allowed to explore some theories about what happened to it.

"I think he did the best he could do, given the restrictions. I will say, honestly, I don't think he's getting a fair trial by a long stretch," O’Carroll said.

http://www.newson6.com/story/336699...-testifies-for-the-first-time-in-murder-trial

I think the judge made the right decision there. They cant let a defense just start creating unproven scenerios when it is not proven that Lake even had a gun. If the judge allowed that then a DT would be able to start saying all kinds of crazy things like he pulled out 3 machine guns and a grenade. LOL

The DT would have needed to prove or at least have some other testimony from someone that there was another weapon.

 

[Hatfield]

Frpm Kepler`s testimony today -

The defendant described seeing movements by Lake toward his waistline during the brief confrontation that led to the former police officer drawing a .357 revolver one-handed to fire shots.

He said he definitely saw a gun in Lake's hand after firing the initial shots.

No gun was discovered in Lake's possession or at the scene.

Rules or policy Kepler admitted to violating include checking the Tulsa Police Department's official records search to investigate Lake's background and not calling in the shooting or waiting for police at the scene, which he said department policy requires.

"I should have called," Kepler said. "I should have called and gone down there. I made a lot of mistakes, you know."

Kepler testified he instead drove to midtown immediately after the shooting to meet his wife, who had contacted attorneys.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/loca...cle_970aa86f-8149-59f9-9b97-b2d9726c372e.html

Imo, pretty lame on the `he (JL) reached for his waistband` excuse. Good luck with that.

Keplers actions right after the shooting were indication of his guilt IMO.

From what I remember he went and got the wife's help to basically hide out for awhile. They both hid HIS gun for awhile as LE had trouble finding HIS gun. I really think he considered running away with her and they most likely considered dumping the officers gun somewhere. I think by the time he cooled down he realized what he had done and then decided to get a lawyer to see if he can get out of it.

And here we are now.

Lets hope the jury sees this case as it is. IMO its a pretty clear cut case of a rageful parent that lost self control and killed someone. Its sad in a way but Lakes family deserves justice.

Not sure if the wife is going to get prosecuted for helping him in the time after the murder but I feel she should.
They both did not immediately turn in that weapon and she had it in her possession for a little time after the murder. Obviously helping him hide the gun until they finally decided they had better turn it in.

 

[Hatfield]

I tried to see if the closings begun or are over yet and I am not sure. I think the closings were to begin today and not sure if they have started. We should know more soon. Maybe tomorrow or tonight before we hear much more.

 

[Hatfield]

This right here the Jury probably listened with ears open.

"“With my daughter involved, yes, I may break a law or two to make sure my daughter is safe,” Kepler said."

Asked for further explanation about breaking the law, Kepler restated his comment.



“I misspoke. ‘Break the rules’ is what I meant. Not ‘break the law,’” Kepler said.




http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/loca...cle_970aa86f-8149-59f9-9b97-b2d9726c372e.html

 

[Woodland]

Exactly and not only that, the officer (at the time) was the one that drove up in a rage and obviously jumped out of his car in threatening manner so even if there was a weapon that Lake had (which I totally doubt) then Lake had a right to self defense with the current stand your ground laws in that state.

I was pretty astounded at SK stating he wanted to speak to his daughter as a reason for being in front of JL`s home that day.
Previous reports are that SK took this daughter and dropped her off at a shelter a few days before this shooting. Lame, imo.

 

[Woodland]

Keplers actions right after the shooting were indication of his guilt IMO.

From what I remember he went and got the wife's help to basically hide out for awhile. They both hid HIS gun for awhile as LE had trouble finding HIS gun. I really think he considered running away with her and they most likely considered dumping the officers gun somewhere. I think by the time he cooled down he realized what he had done and then decided to get a lawyer to see if he can get out of it.

And here we are now.

Lets hope the jury sees this case as it is. IMO its a pretty clear cut case of a rageful parent that lost self control and killed someone. Its sad in a way but Lakes family deserves justice.

Not sure if the wife is going to get prosecuted for helping him in the time after the murder but I feel she should.
They both did not immediately turn in that weapon and she had it in her possession for a little time after the murder. Obviously helping him hide the gun until they finally decided they had better turn it in.

Kepler`s wife seems to be walking regarding any actions she took that day and beyond. Not right imo, but that is the decision the DA made - she was charged and had charges dropped.

There were more children at home, so this may be the reason she is walking.

 

[Woodland]

This right here the Jury probably listened with ears open.

"“With my daughter involved, yes, I may break a law or two to make sure my daughter is safe,” Kepler said."

Asked for further explanation about breaking the law, Kepler restated his comment.



“I misspoke. ‘Break the rules’ is what I meant. Not ‘break the law,’” Kepler said.




http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/loca...cle_970aa86f-8149-59f9-9b97-b2d9726c372e.html

The prevailing thought with LE is, imo, they are a law unto themselves. Most of the time this is true - but this one is too much for LE to bear. A kid is dead and Kepler had no reason to be there. Jmo.

 

[Hatfield]

I just heard on the news that the case has gone to the jury 20 minutes ago.

I cannot find any online news reports confirming that though.

 

[Hatfield]

The prevailing thought with LE is, imo, they are a law unto themselves. Most of the time this is true - but this one is too much for LE to bear. A kid is dead and Kepler had no reason to be there. Jmo.

Yeah I do have to give some credit to LE for not overly protecting him. He was an active duty officer at the time this happened.

In early news reports when this first happened if I am not mistaken I think he found out she was not at the shelter and so went looking for her at the boyfriends place. I seem to recall he had forbid her from seeing this guy and so when he caught her over there I think he blew his top.

 

[Hatfield]

Case is in Jury's hands now!!

" Jurors are deliberating in the murder trial of a former Tulsa police officer."

http://www.newson6.com/story/33678936/jury-reassembles-for-final-day-of-kepler-trial

 

[Woodland]

I just heard on the news that the case has gone to the jury 20 minutes ago.

I cannot find any online news reports confirming that though.

Closing arguments were to begin this am, so entirely feasible the case is in the hands of the jury now.

 

[Woodland]

Yeah I do have to give some credit to LE for not overly protecting him. He was an active duty officer at the time this happened.

In early news reports when this first happened if I am not mistaken I think he found out she was not at the shelter and so went looking for her at the boyfriends place. I seem to recall he had forbid her from seeing this guy and so when he caught her over there I think he blew his top.

He definitely blew his top - before he got there imo, but not sure he had spoken to his daughter between the time he dropped her off at a shelter and the time he read on fb that she was in a new relationship.

Reports were that SK looked into JL`s history and found an address from that illegal search using LE databases. Nothing indicates SK was expected to be at JL`s home through an invitation to visit etc.

 

[Hatfield]

He definitely blew his top - before he got there imo, but not sure he had spoken to his daughter between the time he dropped her off at a shelter and the time he read on fb that she was in a new relationship.

Reports were that SK looked into JL`s history and found an address from that illegal search using LE databases. Nothing indicates SK was expected to be at JL`s home through an invitation to visit etc.

Gotcha. Thanks.

 

[Woodland]

Mistrial Declared In Former Tulsa Cop's Murder Trial

Just before 2 a.m., the jury returned to the courtroom and told the judge they were deadlocked after deliberating for almost nine hours.

The jury did find Kepler guilty on the charges of reckless conduct with a firearm and recommended six month jail sentences. Formal sentencing on those convictions is set for Monday.

Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler promises there will be a new trial.

http://www.newson6.com/story/33678936/jury-reassembles-for-final-day-of-kepler-trial

 

[Hatfield]

MISTRIAL !!!

"Just before 2 a.m., the jury returned to the courtroom and told the judge they were deadlocked after deliberating for almost nine hours."


WTH? . That jury worked late into the night which is fine but dont give up after just 9 hours of deliberations. And why didnt the judge even try to force them to try some more the next day?

I hope the judge was not doing anything different just because it was an ex LE officer.

I have never seen a trial or heard about one where just after the 1st day of deliberations the judge doesnt ask them to try some more the next day.

The jury did not even get the case till about 5pm last night. And they worked till 2am ish . So why not try some more after a good nights rest. Why in the world did the judge not make them try more.

Ridiculous. Very upset about this.

At least they did accomplish this part.....


"the jury did find Kepler guilty on the charges of reckless conduct with a firearm and recommended six month jail sentences. Formal sentencing on those convictions is set for Monday.Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler promises there will be a new trial"


but that is not the main reason the trial was going on. And I think that will hurt the retry. Uggggggg

http://www.newson6.com/story/33678936/jury-reassembles-for-final-day-of-kepler-trial

 

[Hatfield]

Mistrial Declared In Former Tulsa Cop's Murder Trial

Just before 2 a.m., the jury returned to the courtroom and told the judge they were deadlocked after deliberating for almost nine hours.

The jury did find Kepler guilty on the charges of reckless conduct with a firearm and recommended six month jail sentences. Formal sentencing on those convictions is set for Monday.

Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler promises there will be a new trial.

http://www.newson6.com/story/33678936/jury-reassembles-for-final-day-of-kepler-trial

You beat me to it.

 

[Hatfield]

I dont think it was wise that the judge let the jury have the case at 5pm last night. That decision was a recipe for the mistrial.

Common sense says the jury would want to rush it since they started so late in the evening. So at 2 am when they get cranky and tired of course they wanted to give up. The judge really blew it IMO.

He should have not given them the case till fresh next morning or Monday morning if Veterans day was holiday for them.

But even after the 2am deadlock, then judge still should have made them try at least one more time on Monday.

I blame the judge mainly in this. Poor decisions and not forcing them to try at least 1 more day.

Im ok if a jury deadlocks. But I am not ok the way this went down.

It was a recipe for a deadlock the way it was handled by the judge.

Oh well. I need to get over it. LOL

And hope it is retried. The poor Lake family. Prayers for them.

 

[Hatfield]

They were stuck at 11-1

Seems this could be another case where there was 1 rogue juror.

I have to wonder if that 1 juror had some LE connection. Either himself or family connection to LE maybe. It sure would be interesting to find out if that was the case.

Too many cases where 1 rogue juror out in left field. If we find out he had a LE connection it will be sad to find out. There should be no bias in this case It is so clear cut and dry case.

"They jury said they were stuck at 11-1, but it wasn't made public which way they were leaning. The jury has to be unanimous to reach a decision
"

http://www.newson6.com/story/33678936/jury-reassembles-for-final-day-of-kepler-trial