Jury convicts Kepler of first-degree manslaughter

A white former Oklahoma police officer has been convicted of first-degree manslaughter in his fourth trial for the 2014 fatal shooting of his daughter’s black boyfriend.

Jurors reached a verdict for the lesser charge late Wednesday in ex-Tulsa officer Shannon Kepler’s first-degree murder trial. The jury recommended a sentence of 15 years in prison.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 20.

Kepler was off-duty when he shot 19-year-old Jeremey Lake. He told investigators he fired because he thought Lake had a gun, but police found no weapon at the scene or on Lake.

Kepler said he was trying to protect his daughter, Lisa Kepler, because she was living in a crime-ridden neighborhood.

Jurors in Kepler’s previous three trials deadlocked 11-1, 10-2 and 6-6, leading the judge to declare mistrials.