The Tulsa County reserve deputy charged with manslaughter for fatally shooting a suspect pinned to the ground surrendered himself to authorities this morning.
Bob Bates arrived at the David L. Moss Criminal Justice Center shortly before 10 a.m. — nearly an hour after it was believed he would — in a white Chevy SUV and was escorted to booking immediately.
His attorney, Clark Brewster, accompanied him.
"In light of the charges, he's not going to make a statement," Brewster said of Bates. "We will defend this in the court of law, and that's what we're going to do. And when he has his opportunity to speak at the conclusion of the case, then he will do so."
Bates was in booking for a little more than 20 minutes. He posted $25,000 dollars bond and walked back outside, where Brewster was asked how he felt about the charges against his client.
"I feel that they're unwarranted and shouldn't have been brought," Brewster said.
"They've taken the fact that this man has been good to the community and has been benevolent to the community and has been a great citizen for our town and made it something bad or sinister, and that's the unfortunate thing."
Bates is charged with a single count of involuntary manslaughter in the April second death of Eric Harris. He didn’t say a word or change his solemn expression while in front of reporters.
The charges stem from the fatal shooting of ex-convict Eric Harris. Harris was being taken into custody after a gun-buying sting operation when he became combative.
That's when authorities say Bates mistook his revolver for a stun gun and fatally shot Harris.
