A former Oklahoma volunteer sheriff’s deputy who said he mistook his handgun for his stun gun when he fatally shot an unarmed suspect last year was sentenced Tuesday to four years in prison.
(FOX)- A judge gave Robert Bates, 74, the maximum penalty recommended by jurors who last month convicted the wealthy insurance executive of second-degree manslaughter.
Bates fatally shot Eric Harris on April 2, 2015, while working with Tulsa County sheriff’s deputies during an illegal gun sales sting. Harris, who had run from deputies, was restrained and unarmed when he was shot. Harris was black and Bates is white, but Harris’ family has said they don’t believe race played a role.
The shooting, which was captured on video, sparked several investigations. Among other things, the investigations revealed an internal memo questioning Bates’ qualifications as a volunteer deputy and showed that Bates, a close friend of the sheriff’s, had donated thousands of dollars in cash, vehicles and equipment to the sheriff’s office.
After being sentenced, Bates was led away by deputies. His family members shouted, “We love you! We love you!” as he left court.
Judge Bill Musseman said handing down the prison sentence was a “legitimate and moral consequence” of Bates’ actions. He said he took into account Bates’ age, failing health and dozens of letters written by community members asking for leniency.