Judge to question potential grand jurors

TULSA, Okla. (AP) – A judge is expected to begin questioning nearly 60 citizens to form a grand jury to investigate whether Tulsa County Sheriff Stanley Glanz neglected his duties and whether reserve deputies who gave gifts to the agency were given special treatment.

District Judge Rebecca Nightingale will start the questioning Tuesday in a process that’s closed to the public.

On Monday, Nightingale excused six potential jurors after they expressed concerns they couldn’t serve on the panel for personal reasons.

A petition drive calling for the grand jury was prompted by the April 2 fatal shooting of an unarmed man by ex-volunteer deputy Robert Bates.

Bates is a close friend of Glanz’s, has donated thousands of dollars in cash, cars and equipment to the agency and was the sheriff’s’ campaign manager in 2012.