The Latest: Attorney: Prosecutors right to charge officer
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - The Latest on the death of an unarmed black man who was fatally shot by a white police officer in Tulsa, Oklahoma (all times local):
6:25 p.m.
A former federal prosecutor says prosecutors in Tulsa were right to swiftly charge a white police officer with first-degree manslaughter in the fatal shooting of an unarmed black man.
Chicago-based defense attorney Phil Turner says prosecutors -- in his words -- "must have thought charges were warranted and we can always upgrade the charge later."
Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler filed a first-degree manslaughter charge Thursday against officer Betty Shelby, who shot and killed 40-year-old Terence Crutcher on Sept. 16.
Turner says prosecutors may have been motivated to move quickly in part to allay outrage and avoid the kind of street protests that have happened in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Police there have refused under mounting pressure to release video of the shooting of another black man this week. The National Guard has been called in to try to a head off a third night of violence.
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6 p.m.
The twin sister of an unarmed black man shot and killed by a Tulsa police officer says her family is pleased the officer has been charged with a crime.
Tiffany Crutcher spoke to reporters outside the Tulsa County Courthouse on Thursday after officer Betty Shelby was charged with first-degree manslaughter in the shooting death of her brother, Terence Crutcher.
Shelby faces between four years and life in prison if convicted.
Tiffany Crutcher says while the family is grateful charges have been filed, they want to make sure the district attorney vigorously prosecutes the case and obtains a conviction.
Tiffany Crutcher says she hopes a criminal conviction will help bring an end to the killing of innocent citizens by police.
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5:25 p.m.
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin says she hopes a first-degree manslaughter charge against a white police officer who shot and killed an unarmed black man provides some peace to the man's family and to the people of Tulsa.
In a statement Thursday, Fallin complimented Tulsa's police chief, mayor, district attorney and citizens for helping to keep peace and order "during this difficult time."
Fallin also urged Tulsa residents to be patient as the case works its way through the justice system and noted that officer Betty Shelby is innocent until proven guilty.
Shelby was responding to an unrelated call when she came across Terence Crutcher's vehicle abandoned in the middle of a north Tulsa street on Sept. 16.
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5:05 p.m.
At least two dozen protesters have gathered outside the Tulsa County courthouse after the district attorney charged a white officer who shot and killed an unarmed black man with first-degree manslaughter.
Protesters who gathered Thursday said they're unhappy that officer Betty Shelby wasn't charged with first-degree murder in the Sept. 16 death of 40-year-old Terence Crutcher. They held signs reading, "I can't breathe," ''Black Lives Matter," and "Am I Next." Some cars honked as they drove past the peaceful protest.
Shelby was responding to an unrelated call when she came across Crutcher's vehicle abandoned in the middle of a north Tulsa street.
Video released by police showed Crutcher walking away from Shelby with his arms in the air.
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5 p.m.
Tulsa County prosecutors allege in court documents that a white police officer "reacted unreasonably" when she fatally shot an unarmed black man and that she unnecessarily escalated the situation.
In an affidavit filed with a first-degree manslaughter charge on Thursday against officer Betty Shelby, an investigator wrote that Shelby became "emotionally involved to the point that she over reacted" when she shot and killed Terence Crutcher on Sept. 16.
Shelby faces between four years and life in prison if convicted.
Shelby told investigators she feared for her life and thought Crutcher was going to kill her.
Shelby was responding to an unrelated call when she came across Crutcher's vehicle abandoned in the middle of a north Tulsa street.
Video released by police showed Crutcher walking away from Shelby with his arms in the air.
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4:40 p.m.
The mayor of Tulsa, Oklahoma, is commending police and prosecutors for their quick handling of the investigation into the death of an unarmed black man who was fatally shot by a white police officer.
Mayor Dewey Bartlett made his comments Thursday shortly after the Tulsa County district attorney announced he was charging officer Betty Shelby with first-degree manslaughter in the Sept. 16 death of 40-year-old Terence Crutcher.
Bartlett said -- in his words -- "These are important steps to ensure that justice and accountability prevails."
Video released by police showed Crutcher walking away from Shelby with his arms in the air.
Bartlett promised authorities would "continue to be transparent and ensure the system carries out its responsibility to provide justice."
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3:45 p.m.
A prosecutor in Tulsa, Oklahoma, says arrangements are being made for the surrender of a white police officer who fatally shot an unarmed black man on a city street.
Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler filed a first-degree manslaughter charge Thursday against officer Betty Shelby, who shot and killed 40-year-old Terence Crutcher on Sept. 16. Dashcam and aerial footage of the shooting and its aftermath showed Crutcher walking away from Shelby with his arms in the air.
The footage does not offer a clear view of when Shelby fired the single shot that killed Crutcher. Her attorney has said Crutcher was not following police commands and that Shelby opened fire when the man began to reach into his SUV window.
Tulsa police say Crutcher did not have a gun on him or in his vehicle.
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3:35 p.m.
Prosecutors in Tulsa, Oklahoma, have filed first-degree manslaughter charges against the white police officer who fatally shot an unarmed black man on a city street.
District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler filed the charges Thursday against officer Betty Shelby, who shot and killed 40-year-old Terence Crutcher on Sept. 16. Dashcam and aerial footage of the shooting and its aftermath showed Crutcher walking away from Shelby with his arms in the air.
The footage does not offer a clear view of when Shelby fired the single shot that killed Crutcher. Her attorney has said Crutcher was not following police commands and that Shelby opened fire when the man began to reach into his SUV window.
Tulsa police say Crutcher did not have a gun on him or in his vehicle.