Local Attorney Offers Defense Theory For Tulsa Police Officer

<p>Now that Tulsa Police Officer Betty Shelby has been formally charged in the death of Terrence Crutcher, we are learning details on her possible defense.</p>

Friday, September 23rd 2016, 3:49 pm

By: Karl Torp


Now that Tulsa Police Officer Betty Shelby has been formally charged in the death of Terrence Crutcher, we are learning details on her possible defense.

Oklahoma City Defense Attorney Irven Box represented Del City Police Officer Randy Harrison after he fatally shot an unharmed 18-year-old in 2012.

Although Box wasn’t at Harrison’s side during the trial, he says the defense strategy for Shelby will be similar: Try to show the jury she feared for her life.

“She’s a small lady that is there as a police officer and she’s there trying to protect herself and her fellow officers,” says Box.

The former police officer turned defense attorney thinks the taser fired at Crutcher by another Tulsa Police Officer may have played a major role in the outcome. Box wonders if the sound of the taser triggered Shelby, who thought the it was a life or death situation.

Police say Crutcher wasn’t obeying commands. On Camera, he appears to be walking back to his vehicle with his arms in the air.

“She’s got the gun out, fingers on the trigger and there’s a pop. The pop being the taser,” wondered Box, who was surprised charges were filed so soon against Shelby. “They couldn’t have completed all the reports by the time he filed the charges.”

Box believes the case will ultimately end up in the hands of the jury.

“Did she perceive that to be a threat? And you got to paint that picture to them and if you don’t, you’re in trouble.”

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