Attorney: District Attorney Wants to Remove Judge from Pharmacist's Murder Trial

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY – District Attorney David Prater wants to remove Judge Tammy Bass-LeSure from pharmacist Jerome Ersland's murder trial, said Ersland's defense attorney Irven Box, putting the case thus far in jeopardy.

District Attorney Prater, along with his 1st Assistant Scott Rowland and Judge Tammy Bass-LeSure, met with Chief Judge Patricia Parrish in an effort to remove Bass-Lesure from the case, Box said.

Box said if that happens, the trail date of September 13 is in jeopardy. Also, every motion and decision made so far in the case might have to be re-argued, including having cameras broadcast the trial.

"It's going to open a lot of avenues. It's going to be tremendously hard, I believe for the defense, even more than the prosecution, if we have to start over with a new judge," said Box.

NEWS 9 has contacted District Attorney David Prater about the meeting, but he was unable to be reached for comment.

Pharmacist Jerome Ersland is charged with first-degree murder in the May 2009 shooting death of 16-year-old Antwun Parker inside Reliable Discount Pharmacy in south Oklahoma City. Ersland shot Parker during the attempted robbery.

*Irven Box also serves as NEWS 9's legal analyst.

More:

• Judge Denies Motion to Dismiss Murder Charges Against Oklahoma City Pharmacist
• Interim Chief M.E. Releases New Report in Pharmacy Suspect's Death
• Pharmacist's Attorney Says New Details Won't Affect Murder Case Strategy