TULSA — An Oklahoma judge has said a grand jury should review operations at the Tulsa County sheriff ’s office after the agency sent onto the streets a 73-year-old reserve deputy who shot and killed an unarmed suspect.
More than 6,600 Tulsa residents signed a petition asking for the investigation, though only 5,000 signatures were needed. Lawyers for Sheriff Stanley Glanz argued in court Tuesday that some signatures were gathered improperly and that the entire petition should be voided.
District Judge Rebecca Nightingale rejected Glanz’s claims. She signed paperwork setting up the grand jury. It convenes July 20.
Reserve deputy Robert Bates shot and killed Eric Harris on April 2. Subsequent investigations raised questions about training inside the Tulsa County sheriff’s office.