Ear Hustle

Tulsa Deputy Turns Himself In; Racism Raised As Concerns In Shooting & In Sheriff’s Office

The day before Good Friday reserve deputy Robert Bates shot and killed Eric Harris in an undercover sting operation.

The Sheriff’s Office has called it a mistake. Glasses worn by deputies captured undercover video of the reserve deputy shooting. Bates bought the glasses for the sheriff’s office as a gift.

The Harris family attorney, Dan Smolen, says Bates has a close relationship with the sheriff and has donated a lot to the sheriff’s office.

Related: Brother of Eric Harris, attorneys discuss recent claims made by TCSO

“You have a multimillionaire donating just tons of weapons and ammunition and tactical weapons to a task force,” said Smolen.

But Bates’ attorney Clark Brewster says the gifts don’t prove or suggest anything.

“I’d like to know what the special treatment is. So that you can volunteer your time and help the police force, is that why you give gifts? So you can spend your time and work for free? It makes no sense,” said Brewster.

The issued raised go deeper than special treatment.

Smolen claims racism is engrained in the sheriff’s office.

“There is systemic evil within that department and it serves as racism,” said Smolen.

“If there was any systemic racism, if there was even a hint of racism in the sheriff’s department you have one man that will stand strong and will not tolerate and that’s Stanley Glanz,” said Brewster.

But Eric Harris’ brother, Andre, is concerned that the TCSO is hiding something and wants to expose it.

“Shed some light in the darkness,” said Andre Harris.

When asked if Bates should be charged, his attorney said no.

“Do I believe he should be charged? No. Because what I know, as you and I are sitting here right now, people are going to make mistakes,” said Brewster.

Source: NBC

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