Crutcher Family Says Charges Are First Step To Justice Being Served

Members of Terence Crutcher's family spoke after the District Attorney filed the charge.

Terence's sister, Dr. Tiffany Crutcher, said she's grateful for the charge and said their mother broke down when they got the news about the manslaughter charge, as if a burden had been lifted.

Special Coverage: Terence Crutcher Shooting Death

"First of all, God gets all the glory out of all of this. I'm just grateful," she said.

The family's attorneys thanked District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler, saying this is the first step to justice being served. They said they're happy, but also said it's not over.

Crutcher family attorney, Damario Solomon-Simmons said, "Happy that charges were brought, but let me be clear, the family wants and deserves full justice."

Solomon-Simmons said full justice means a vigorous prosecution, and a guilty verdict.

The minimum manslaughter sentence is four years in prison. The attorneys say whatever the jury decides will be appropriate.

They also said this was the right charge given the facts of the case; they do not believe a murder charge would have been appropriate.

Attorney Melvin Hall said, "Under the law of Oklahoma, this is the maximum charge that could have been filed under these particular facts."

The Crutcher family's attorneys also called for Tulsa police officers to be outfitted with body cameras, for which they received a $600,000 federal grant last year.

They also want officers to go through anti-bias training every year.

Tiffany Crutcher said she wants to remember her brother's legacy.

She said, "Nothing will bring back our father, our son, our nephew, our brother. Our goal as a family is to ensure this never happens to an innocent citizen. In spite of this news our hearts are heavy right now. We lost a wonderful soul. But rather than focus on the reprehensible actions of one member of law enforcement, today we choose to celebrate Terence's life."

She said Tuesday's peaceful protest with Reverend Al Sharpton will go on as planned.