FILE - This April 14, 2015 file photo provided by the Tulsa County, Okla., Sheriff's Office shows volunteer Deputy Robert Bates. The Tulsa County sheriff placed the agency's spokesman on administrative leave Monday, May 11, 2015, following last month's fatal shooting of a restrained man by Bates. Sheriff Stanley Glanz announced in a statement that Maj. Shannon Clark is on administrative leave, with pay, pending a performance evaluation. The move follows the April 2 shooting of Eric Harris by reserve deputy Robert Bates. Bates, 73, is charged with second-degree manslaughter in the death of Eric Harris. (Tulsa County Sheriff's Office via AP, File) (The Associated Press)
TULSA, Okla. – A former Tulsa County volunteer deputy charged with fatally shooting a restrained man has canceled his Bahamas vacation after "he was ridiculed in the national press."
Attorney Corbin Brewster told the Associated Press Tuesday that 73-year-old Robert Bates canceled the June trip because of media "scrutiny and pressure."
Brewster says Bates had been looking forward to the vacation with his grandchildren, which was planned before the April 2 shooting. He says Bates changed his plans in recent days.
Bates has pleaded not guilty to second-degree manslaughter in Eric Harris' killing. He says he confused his stun gun and handgun after Harris ran from a sting involving gun sales.
During his arraignment in April, a district court judge told Bates he could leave the country for one month.
The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal.
