FILE - This undated file photo provided by the Tulsa Oklahoma Police Department shows officer Betty Shelby. Police say Tulsa officer Shelby fired the fatal shot that killed Terence Crutcher on Sept. 16, 2016. Shelby's attorney Scott Wood said Thursday, Sept. 29 that she was so hyper-focused on the situation that she didn't hear other officers arrive on the scene or even the deadly gunshot she fired from her handgun. Officer Shelby is expected to enter a not-guilty plea at her arraignment on Friday. (Tulsa Police Department via AP, File)
The Associated Press
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - A not guilty plea has been entered on behalf of an Oklahoma police officer charged with first-degree manslaughter in the fatal shooting of an unarmed black man.
Tulsa officer Betty Shelby did not say anything at her first court appearance Friday, other than acknowledging her name. Her attorney, Shannon McMurray, entered the not guilty plea on her behalf.
Shelby is charged in the Sept. 16 death of Terence Crutcher, whose family sat in the first two rows of the courtroom Friday in Tulsa. Prosecutors allege Shelby acted unreasonably when she shot the 40-year-old Crutcher after she encountered his vehicle abandoned on the street.
Shelby, who is white, told investigators she feared for her life.
Shelby's next court appearance is set for Nov. 29.
FILE - In this Sept. 24, 2016 file photo, a man holds a copy of the program for the funeral of Terence Crutcher during services to honor him in Tulsa, Okla., Crutcher was fatally shot Sept. 16 by Tulsa Police Officer Betty Shelby. Shelby's attorney Scott Wood said Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016, that she was so hyper-focused on the situation that she didn't hear other officers arrive on the scene or even the deadly gunshot she fired from her handgun. Officer Shelby, who is expected to enter a not-guilty plea at her arraignment on Friday. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki File)
The Associated Press