Tulsa County sheriff fighting petition

TULSA, Okla. (AP) – Lawyers for the Tulsa County sheriff are heading to district court hoping to thwart a petition that seeks a grand jury investigation of his office.

Sheriff Stanley Glanz says the petition signed by 6,647 voters was misleading and made no specific allegations against his office. The hearing is scheduled Tuesday morning.

The petition drive began after ex-volunteer deputy Robert Bates shot an unarmed and restrained man on April 2. Bates said he confused his handgun and stun gun.

Bates is a friend of Glanz who has donated cash and equipment to the sheriff’s office. He has pleaded not guilty to second-degree manslaughter in Eric Harris’ death.

A federal lawsuit filed Monday alleges Bates used a stun gun on another restrained suspect less than two months before Harris’ death.