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Bates Jury Seated

Tulsa County Court House
KWGS File Photo
Tulsa County Court House

 

 A 12-person jury and two alternates have been seated for the second-degree manslaughter trial of a former Tulsa County volunteer sheriff's deputy.

Jury selection ended about noon Wednesday and opening statements took placein  the trial of Robert Bates. 

The 74-year-old Bates has pleaded not guilty to the charge in the April 2015 shooting death of Eric Harris during an undercover gun-sale sting. Bates has said he mistook his handgun and stun gun when he shot Harris, who was on the ground and being restrained.

Bates' attorneys are expected to argue that Harris' drug use and health could have contributed to his death.

The trial is expected to last up to two weeks. Race has not been a factor in this case thus far. Robert Bates is white. Eric Harris was Black. There are no African-Americans on the jury.