© 2024 Public Radio Tulsa
800 South Tucker Drive
Tulsa, OK 74104
(918) 631-2577

A listener-supported service of The University of Tulsa
classical 88.7 | public radio 89.5
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Tulsa Detective Felt 'Disrespected' By D.A.

File photo

An Oklahoma police sergeant testified he felt "disrespected" by the way a prosecutor announced a manslaughter charge against a white Oklahoma officer who killed an unarmed black man.

Sgt. Dave Walker testified Friday during the manslaughter trial of Tulsa Officer Betty Jo Shelby, who fatally shot 40-year-old Terrence Crutcher in September.

Walker said he was taken aback by the lack of protocol and respect when he learned about the charge from a reporter. Another police supervisor testified he told Shelby not to talk about the incident because he knew it would be racially explosive.

Shelby said she shot Crutcher because he wasn't obeying commands and kept reaching for his pockets after his SUV stalled in a street. Prosecutors say Shelby overreacted.

Prosecutors rested their case following Friday's testimony.