Tulsa, Okla., officer pleads not guilty in fatal shooting of unarmed man

TULSA, Okla., Sept. 30 (UPI) -- Tulsa police Officer Betty Shelby, charged with manslaughter in the fatal shooting of unarmed man, pleaded not guilty Friday.

Shelby, 42, faces one count of first-degree manslaughter in the heat of passion for the death of Terence Crutcher, 40, on Sept. 16. Police Chief Chuck Jordan said Officer Tyler Turnbough used a Taser on Crutcher as he walked near his stalled vehicle and then Shelby fatally shot him.

Jordan confirmed that Crutcher was unarmed at the time and video evidence supplied by police appeared to confirm the chief's description of events.

Crutcher died later that evening at a local hospital.

Crutcher was African American; Turnbough and Shelby are white. After the shooting, Crutucher's family criticized the police for its insensitivity, and federal and state justice officials opened investigations to learn if civil right violations occurred. Both police officers were placed on administrative leave after the incident.

In an arraignment hearing lasting minutes Friday, Shelby appeared in court and spoke only to identify herself to the judge, Deborrah Ludi-Leitch. Shelby's lawyer entered the plea for her.

Shelby surrendered at the Tulsa County Jail on Sept. 23, and posted a $50,000 bond on that day. She faces four years to life imprisonment if convicted.

The court scheduled a preliminary hearing for Nov. 29.