CRIME

Jury selection begins in Oklahoma cop's manslaughter trial

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Sally Van Schenck, right, communications director for the Tulsa County District Attorney, talks with the media before jury selection for the trial of Tulsa police officer Betty Shelby gets underway in Tulsa, Okla., Monday, May 8, 2017. Shelby is charged with manslaughter in the shooting of Terence Crutcher, an unarmed black man. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) (The Associated Press)

Shannon McMurray, left, defense attorney for Tulsa police officer Betty Shelby, talks with Tulsa Fraternal Order of Police Chairman Jared Lindsey, right, before the start of jury selection in Shelby's trial in Tulsa, Okla., Monday, May 8, 2017. Shelby is charged with manslaughter in the shooting of Terence Crutcher, an unarmed black man. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) (The Associated Press)

Tulsa County Sheriff Vic Regalado, left, talks with Shannon McMurray, right, defense attorney for Tulsa officer Betty Shelby, before the start of jury selection in Shelby's trial in Tulsa, Okla., Monday, May 8, 2017. Shelby is charged with manslaughter in the shooting of Terence Crutcher, an unarmed black man. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) (The Associated Press)

Jury selection has begun in the first-degree manslaughter trial of a white Oklahoma police officer who fatally shot an unarmed black man last year.

About 70 prospective jurors are being asked how much they already know about the high-profile case and whether they can be impartial.

Tulsa officer Betty Jo Shelby is accused of using excessive force when she shot 40-year-old Terence Crutcher in September. Prosecutors say Crutcher had his hands in the air and wasn't combative.

Shelby says she shot Crutcher out of fear because she thought he was reaching into his SUV for a gun. There was no gun in the vehicle.

If she's convicted, Shelby could face from four years to life in prison.