Attorneys for Robert Bates released some of the training records Saturday for the 73-year-old volunteer sheriff's deputy charged with manslaughter in the fatal shooting of an unarmed suspect in Tulsa.
On Friday, the Tulsa County volunteer deputy disputed a Tulsa World report that sheriff's office supervisors were ordered to falsify his training records.
At least three of reserve deputy Robert Bates’ supervisors were transferred after refusing to sign off on his state-required training, multiple sources speaking on condition of anonymity told the World. . . . The sources’ claims are corroborated by records, including a statement by Bates after the shooting, that he was certified as an advanced reserve deputy in 2007.
Bates' attorney Clark Brewster told NBC's Today show that his client was certified for his position and had the documentation to prove it.
“The so-called evidence of falsified training records comes from a person that was terminated by the sheriff’s office seven years ago,” Brewster said. “He signed an affidavit. Mr. Bates would’ve been with the department as a reserve just about half a year or a year at that time.”
Bates says he mistakenly pulled out a handgun rather than a stun gun when he fatally shot Eric Harris on April 2 as he lay on the ground.
At least 200 people gathered near the Tulsa County Courthouse Friday for a march to the sheriff's office where they called for Sheriff Stanley Glanz to resign over how he handled the shooting. Bates served as Glanz's re-election campaign manager in 2012 and has donated cars and equipment to the sheriff's office.
Glanz is set to speak publicly for the first time Monday morning following the release of the records detailing Bates' training and certification.
A Harris family attorney is scheduled to speak Monday afternoon to address Bates' training records.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report
------------------------------------
KGOU is a community-supported news organization and relies on contributions from readers and listeners to fulfill its mission of public service to Oklahoma and beyond. Donate online, or by contacting our Membership department.
