Victim’s friends glad about independent investigation

TULSA, Okla. (AP) – Those who knew an unarmed Oklahoma man who was fatally shot by a Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office volunteer deputy last month are confident an outside prosecutor brought in to investigate the agency will help restore the public’s trust in the embattled office.

Questions have arisen about the reserve deputy program since volunteer Robert Bates shot Eric Harris on April 2nd. Bates has pleaded not guilty to second-degree manslaughter, saying he confused his stun gun and handgun.

The Oklahoma attorney general on Wednesday appointed Okmulgee County District Attorney Rob Barris to lead an investigation.

Diahanne McClellan, who is a friend of the Harris family, said Thursday that an independent review "has a better chance of being fair."