2nd Oklahoma judge recuses herself from case of fatal shooting by ex-sheriff's deputy

Published May 03, 2016

A second judge in Oklahoma has recused herself from the fatal shooting trial of a former volunteer sheriff's deputy charged with second-degree manslaughter in the shooting of an unarmed man.

Judge Sharon Holmes recused herself after meeting the prosecutors and attorneys for accused former Tulsa County Sheriff's Office volunteer deputy Robert Bates on Monday. A clerk in Holmes' office said she didn't know why the judge recused and there was no formal order immediately issued.

In October, Judge James Caputo recused after prosecutors cited the judge's close ties to the sheriff's office.

Bates is accused of fatally shooting Eric Harris in April. He says he confused his stun gun and handgun, and has pleaded not guilty.

Trial is set for February, but it's unclear whether Holmes' recusal will delay that.

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