A former volunteer sheriff's deputy in the state of Oklahoma, who shot a man by allegedly mistaking his real gun for a Taser, has been sentenced to four years in prison.
Robert C. Bates, who is 74 years old, said that he mistook his handgun for his stun gun as he shot and killed an unarmed suspect in the previous year. He was sentenced on Tuesday to four years in prison by Judge Bill Musseman. The Judge announced the maximum penalty recommended by jurors for the wealthy insurance executive after charging his with second-degree manslaughter.
Mr. Batesis charged with killing Eric C. Harris on April 2, 2015 as he was working with the Tulsa County sheriff's deputies during an illegal gun sales sting operation in the area. Mr. Harris ran away from the deputies but he was restrained and unarmed when he was shot by Mr. Bates. The shooting was recorded on video and led to several investigations.
The investigations revealed an internal memo questioning Mr. Bates's qualifications and also showed that Mr. Bates was a close friend of the sheriff and had donated thousands of dollars in cash, vehicles and equipment to the sheriff's office. Judge Musseman said that the sentence is was a "legitimate and moral consequence" of his actions. The judge also said that he has taken into account Mr. Bates's failing health and several letters from the community asking for leniency.
Meanwhile, Defense lawyers are planning to appeal the decision and have argued that methamphetamine was present in Mr. Harris's system and his cardiac health caused his death. However, Mr. Bates might be guilty of culpable negligence as it was reported that he even slept minutes before Mr. Harris fled the scene.
