The Latest: Prosecutor to reevaluate ex-officer’s case
The Associated Press - July 9, 2017 9:44 am
Shannon Kepler
The Latest: Prosecutor to reevaluate ex-officer’s case
TULSA, Okla. (AP) – An Oklahoma prosecutor says he will re-evaluate the case of a white former Tulsa police officer charged with shooting his daughter’s black boyfriend to death after a mistrial was declared for the third time in nine months.
District Judge Sharon Holmes declared the mistrial Friday in the case of Shannon Kepler. The 57-year-old former Tulsa police officer is accused in the Aug. 5, 2014, shooting death of 19-year-old Jeremey Lake. Lake had just begun dating Kepler’s daughter, Lisa Kepler.
Holmes declared the mistrial after the jury reported it was deadlocked 6-6. Attorneys involved say the jury deliberated for just 2.5 to 3 hours. Previous juries reported they were also deadlocked after deliberating for much longer.
District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler says he will re-evaluate the case but believes a jury should do its job and reach a verdict.