Why Charges Against Officer Betty Shelby Aren’t Based On Facts

By Officer Blue On September 27, 2016 15

One of our followers sent us information on a rally to support Officer Betty Shelby. If you are in the Tulsa area, please respond and show your support.

The following information is a community submission to Blue Lives Matter and may not reflect our opinion:

Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler has charged Tulsa Police Officer Betty Shelby with first-degree manslaughter in the death of Terence Crutcher.

First and foremost: Mr. Crutcher’s death is a very sad tragedy. Our hearts truly go out to his family members as they mourn the loss of his life, and we pray that his soul is in Heaven.

Please understand: This is not about race, and it is not about our black citizens and our law-enforcement community being at odds with each other. This is also not about whether or not Mr. Crutcher’s hands were in the air most of the time, whether or not he had a gun, whether or not there were drugs in his vehicle or his body, or whether or not Officer Shelby had a taser or knew that another officer had one ready to use.

This is about whether or not Officer Shelby believed that her safety or life was in danger when she shot Mr. Crutcher with her gun. That is the only issue because that is the standard for our law-enforcement community for using deadly force.

Mr. Kunzweiler himself acknowledges, through his chief investigator’s affidavit, that Mr. Crutcher “was mumbling to himself and would not answer any of Officer Shelby’s questions” and “kept putting his hands in his pockets” while “Officer Shelby kept telling him to show his hands”, that Mr. Crutcher, who “was wearing baggy clothing”, then “began walking towards the abandoned vehicle” while “not responding to any of Officer Shelby’s commands to stop” as “she […] pulled her duty weapon in the ready position and follow[ed] him to the vehicle” while “repeatedly” “yelling for him to stop and get on his knees”, and that Mr. Crutcher “continue[d] on [to] the driver’s side front door” and “reache[d] in the driver’s side front window” as another officer “fire[d] his [t]aser” while “Officer Shelby fire[d] one shot from her duty weapon” because “she was in fear of her life and thought that Mr. Crutcher was going to kill her”.

That is the definition of justified use of deadly force by a law-enforcement officer. If you want to see what can happen when a law-enforcement officer is confronted with exactly that scenario and does not respond in exactly that way, go to YouTube on the Internet, search for the name “Dinkheller”, and watch the very-disturbing dash-cam video.

Mr. Kunzweiler alleges, through his chief investigator’s affidavit, that Officer Shelby “reacted unreasonably by escalating the situation from a confrontation” and “bec[a]m[e] emotionally involved to the point that she over[-]reacted”. It was not Officer Shelby who escalated the situation, and to say that she became emotionally involved and that she overreacted is despicable. Mr. Kunzweiler: Shame on you for saying such a disgraceful thing. Shame on you for rushing to file a charge based only on your office’s “investigation” without even having the toxicology report. Shame on you for playing politics and cowardly bowing to national pressure.

By filing this charge against Officer Shelby, Mr. Kunzweiler is saying that it no longer matters whether or not our law-enforcement officers fear for their safeties or their lives. If Officer Shelby is convicted of this, then the law-enforcement officers who protect us from murderers and robbers and rapists can no longer use their guns without fearing that we will put them in prison. That is the reality; that is not being overly-dramatic. Is that the city – or the nation – in which we want to live?

Charges Against Officer Betty Shelby

Tulsa County District Court – CF-2016-5138 – State of Oklahoma vs. Betty Jo Shelby

BETTY JO SHELBY, on or about 9/16/2016, in Tulsa County, State of Oklahoma […], did commit the crime of MANSLAUGHTER – FIRST DEGREE […], a Felony[.]

The Defendant Betty Jo Shelby, a Tulsa Police Officer[,] encountered Terence Tafford Crutcher in the vicinity of 2300 East 36^th Street North in the City and County of Tulsa[,] Oklahoma, and[:]

based upon Terence Tafford Crutcher’s non-compliant actions and behavior, the Defendant’s fear resulted in her unreasonable actions which led her to shooting Terence Tafford Crutcher with a handgun[,] which thereby caused his death[,]

and/or[,] in the alternative:

based upon Terence Tafford Crutcher’s refusal to comply with her lawful orders, the Defendant unlawfully and unnecessarily shot Terrence Tafford Crutcher with her handgun[,] which thereby caused his death.

The Law

Oklahoma Statutes, Title 21, Section 711 – First-Degree Manslaughter

Homicide is manslaughter in the first degree in the following cases:

[…].

When perpetrated without a design to effect death, and in a heat of passion, but in a cruel and unusual manner, or by means of a dangerous weapon; unless it is committed under such circumstances as constitute excusable or justifiable homicide.

3. When perpetrated unnecessarily either while resisting an attempt by the person killed to commit a crime, or after such attempt shall have failed.

Gathering of Law Enforcement Officers In Solidarity

Location: Hunter Park, 5804 E 91st St, Tulsa, OK

Date: September 27, 2016

Time: 2:00 p.m to 6:30 p.m.

Regional law-enforcement officers will be gathering at Hunter Park in Tulsa on Tuesday from 2:00 in the afternoon to 6:30 in the evening.

We are gathering to show solidarity for our brothers and sisters in blue as Tulsa County’s district attorney rushes to judgment against one of our own, without benefit of a full and complete investigation.

It is *crucial* that we have a STRONG showing on Tuesday.

Mr. Al Sharpton will be in Tulsa on Tuesday and the national media likely will be as well.

Media is expected to be at the gathering which will give us an opportunity to express our concerns or grievances.

L.E.O.s are encouraged to speak with media persons and express their concerns over current and recent events our nation’s law enforcement officers face.

Obviously, this is a peaceful gathering. Please feel free to make and bring positive-themed signs or placards. Please share this with other L.E.O’s, particularly those currently, retired or formerly in law-enforcement.

Hunter Park is on the south side of East 91st Street, between South Yale Avenue and South Sheridan Avenue.

If you would like to donate to Officer Shelby’s legal defense, you can do so HERE.