Black Politics Now
  • Home
  • Business
  • Civil Rights
  • Criminal Justice
  • Education
  • Elections
  • Health
  • Policy
  • Reparations
  • Voter Rights
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Register
Black Politics Now
  • Home
  • Business
  • Civil Rights
  • Criminal Justice
  • Education
  • Elections
  • Health
  • Policy
  • Reparations
  • Voter Rights
No Result
View All Result
Black Politics Now
No Result
View All Result

DOJ: No civil rights charge in Tulsa police shooting that killed an unarmed black man

Black Politics Now by Black Politics Now
February 11, 2025
in Department of Justice
0
A video released by the Tulsa Police Department captures the moments leading up to the shooting of 40-year-old Terence Crutcher by a police officer on Friday night. — Tulsa Police Department

A video released by the Tulsa Police Department captures the moments leading up to the shooting of 40-year-old Terence Crutcher by a police officer on Friday night. — Tulsa Police Department

74
SHARES
1.2k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Dec 9, 2024 Story by: Editor

You might also like

Rep. Jamie Raskin demands DOJ justify charges against Rep. LaMonica McIver following ICE facility incident

DOJ retracts Biden-era police accountability investigations and proposed consent decrees

DOJ charges New Jersey Congresswoman with assault; US Attorney drops trespassing charges against Newark mayor

TULSA, Okla. (AP) — The Department of Justice announced Friday that it will not pursue federal civil rights charges against Betty Shelby, a former Tulsa police officer who shot and killed Terence Crutcher, an unarmed Black man, in September 2016.

DOJ Cites Insufficient Evidence

U.S. Attorney Trent Shores confirmed the closure of the investigation, stating there was insufficient evidence to prove Shelby willfully used unreasonable force during the fatal encounter.

“The Department of Justice devoted significant resources to this investigation to ensure that a thorough review was undertaken. Attorneys from both the Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office worked closely with the FBI to examine the evidence and review applicable law,” Shores said in a statement.

Background on the Case

Shelby shot Crutcher, who was holding his hands above his head, after she alleged he was not following her commands and appeared to reach into his SUV. Crutcher was unarmed at the time. Shelby testified during her trial that she acted out of fear, believing Crutcher was reaching for a gun.

In May 2017, a Tulsa County jury acquitted Shelby of criminal charges in Crutcher’s death.

Family’s Reaction

Demario Solomon-Simmons, the attorney representing Crutcher’s family, expressed disappointment with the DOJ’s decision but said it was unsurprising.

“We’re disappointed, but unfortunately we’re not surprised,” Solomon-Simmons said. “The number one reason is that the system is set up to protect officers like Betty Shelby. The standard (of proof) is so high, it’s the highest standard in the legal system, to prove that someone willfully and intentionally violated someone else’s civil rights.”

Crutcher’s family has filed a federal lawsuit against both Shelby and the City of Tulsa, which remains pending in court.

Thorough Review of Evidence

According to Shores, a team consisting of seasoned prosecutors and FBI agents meticulously reviewed all available evidence, including enhanced video footage of the shooting. The investigation sought to determine if Shelby acted with “deliberate and specific intent” to violate federal law, a requirement for pursuing charges in such cases.

“Any allegation of law enforcement misconduct and willful deprivation of civil rights is taken seriously,” Shores emphasized. “However, the evidence in this case did not support pursuing criminal prosecution.”

Broader Implications

Crutcher’s death was one of several high-profile cases of police-involved shootings that fueled the Black Lives Matter movement and intensified calls for greater police accountability.

While the DOJ’s decision concludes its investigation, the ongoing lawsuit filed by Crutcher’s family ensures that the case remains a significant point of discussion in the fight for justice and accountability in officer-involved shootings. Source: Mid-Michigan

Tags: DOJ ruling on Tulsa shootingNo civil rights charges Tulsa caseTulsa police shooting DOJ decisionUnarmed Black man police shooting
Share30Tweet19
Black Politics Now

Black Politics Now

Recommended For You

Rep. Jamie Raskin demands DOJ justify charges against Rep. LaMonica McIver following ICE facility incident

by Black Politics Now
June 5, 2025
0
House passes bill limiting federal judges’ nationwide injuctions

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) has formally requested that Attorney General Pam Bondi provide documentation and explanations regarding the DOJ's decision to charge Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.)

Read moreDetails

DOJ retracts Biden-era police accountability investigations and proposed consent decrees

by Black Politics Now
May 24, 2025
0
The U.S. Department of Justice in Washington has announced that three men affiliated with white supremacist groups have been sentenced for their plans to target an energy facility in the northwestern United States, according to prosecutors. Credit: Sarah Silbiger for The New York Times.

The named jurisdictions include Louisiana State Police, along with the police departments in Louisville, Memphis, Minneapolis, Mount Vernon, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, and Trenton.

Read moreDetails

DOJ charges New Jersey Congresswoman with assault; US Attorney drops trespassing charges against Newark mayor

by Black Politics Now
May 22, 2025
0
The Justice Department logo is displayed ahead of a news conference at the Department of Justice on Aug. 23, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)

The U.S. Department of Justice on Monday announced criminal charges against Rep. LaMonica McIver, a Democratic congresswoman from Newark, for assaulting a federal contractor. Simultaneously, federal prosecutors dropped...

Read moreDetails

DOJ Civil Rights Division opens discrimination investigation into Chicago city hiring practices

by Black Politics Now
May 22, 2025
0
The United States Department of Justice seal is shown on a podium ahead of a news conference at the Justice Department in Washington, on Thursday, April 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

The U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division has launched a formal investigation into the City of Chicago’s hiring practices, citing concerns over potential discrimination in its employment...

Read moreDetails

DOJ shakeup raises fears over fate of Jackson State civil rights probe

by Black Politics Now
May 19, 2025
0
DOJ shakeup raises fears over fate of Jackson State civil rights probe

A sweeping reorganization inside the U.S. Department of Justice has sparked fears that a long-standing investigation into the 1970 Jackson State College killings—one of the nation’s most haunting...

Read moreDetails
Next Post
Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) endorsed Hillary Clinton alongside the Congressional Black Caucus Political Action Committee on February 11, 2016. The endorsement event was captured in a photograph by J. Scott Applewhite for the Associated Press.

Congressional Black Caucus news conference following leadership elections

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

ADVERTISEMENT

Related News

Image Source: Thomas Peipert / AP News

Col. James H. Harvey III, one of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen remembers struggle for recognition

March 24, 2025
Federal trial set to challenge North Carolina election maps

Federal trial set to challenge North Carolina election maps

June 17, 2025
Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (right) and Memphis Grizzlies guard Yuki Kawamura, from Japan, are pictured during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Memphis, Tennessee, on November 6. James made his return to basketball after experiencing a cardiac arrest during practice in July 2023. (Nikki Boertman/AP)

Black athletes have nearly five times greater risk of sudden cardiac arrest

December 2, 2024
Black Politics Now

Get informed on African American politics with "Black Politics Now," your ultimate source for political engagement.

CATEGORIES

  • Business
  • Civil Rights
  • Congressional Black Caucus
  • Criminal Justice
  • Data
  • Department of Justice
  • Diversity Initiatives
  • Education
  • Elections
  • Enviroment
  • Equity
  • Hate Crimes
  • Health
  • Housing
  • Investigations
  • Legal Defense Fund
  • NAACP
  • Policy
  • Real Estate
  • Reparations
  • Research
  • Sports
  • State Issues
  • Study
  • Supreme Court
  • Technology
  • Voter Rights
  • World

Quick Link

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of service
  • Contact us

Download Our App

© 2024 Black Politics Now | All Right Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Business
  • Civil Rights
  • Criminal Justice
  • Education
  • Elections
  • Health
  • Policy
  • Reparations
  • Voter Rights
  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • Cart
SUBSCRIBE

© 2024 Black Politics Now | All Right Reserved

Join the Movement, Subscribe Now!(Don't worry, we'll never spam you!)

Don’t miss a beat—get the latest news, inspiring stories, and in-depth coverage of the issues that matter most to the Black community. Be part of the conversation and stay connected.

Enter your email address