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Reserve deputy charged with Second-Degree Manslaughter

Charges have been filed against 73-year-old Tulsa County reserve deputy Robert Bates, Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler announced Monday.

“Mr. Bates is charged with Second-Degree Manslaughter involving culpable negligence," Kunzweiler said. "Oklahoma law defines culpable negligence as ‘the omission to do something which a reasonably careful person would do, or the lack of the usual ordinary care and caution in the performance of an act usually and ordinarily exercised by a person under similar circumstances and conditions."

Bates shot and killed 44-year-old Eric Harris during an undercover operation on April 2.

According to Tulsa County Major Shannon Clark, deputies were trying to buy a gun from Harris in an undercover sting, when Harris ran. Deputies pursued Harris and began a physical struggle with him, and Bates shot him with his firearm, believing it was his Taser.

Harris was treated at the scene by EMSA medics and taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Bates has been a reserve deputy since 2008, and was assigned to the sheriff’s Violent Crimes Task Force.

“The defendant is presumed to be innocent under the law but we will be prepared to present evidence at future court hearings," Kunzweiler said.

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