Tulsa reserve deputy surrenders on 2nd Degree Manslaughter charge

A reserve Tulsa County deputy surrendered on a charge of 2nd Degree Manslaughter Tuesday morning.

Robert Bates, 73, is accused of negligence in the death of Eric Harris during a undercover sting operation in north Tulsa April 2nd.

He posted a $25,000 bond and was released shortly after booking.

Bates was there in a support role, according to the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office, but moved to help when Harris, who had just sold a gun to an undercover deputy, tried to run.

He believed he was pulling his TASER, according to Bates' written narrative of the incident, but accidentally grabbed his firearm and shot Harris.

Harris was transported but pronounced dead at the hospital.

TCSO argued strenously in defense of Bates, citing his hundreds of hours of training and experience as a reserve deputy.

But Tulsa County DA Steve Kunzweiler believes the facts of the case warranted a criminal charge.

Meanwhile, the law firm which represents the Harris family has accused TCSO of trying to cover up the facts surrounding the case.

They allege that Bates was not adequately trained nor in the proper physical condition to be on an undercover operation involving the takedown of a potentially violent suspect.

Further, they maintain he was only allowed to participate because of what they call a "pay to play" policy for TCSO reserve deputies.

Bates has donated more than a half dozen vehicles and thousands of dollars worth of equipment to TCSO in recent years.