Betty Shelby Will Return to Active Duty
Betty Shelby, the Tulsa, Oklahoma. police officer who shot and killed Terence Crutcher — but was acquitted by a jury — will return to the police force for active duty, Tulsa Police Chief Chuck Jordan announced Friday.
Although Shelby will be returning to work, Jordan stated she “will not be assigned in a patrol capacity,” according to the Tulsa World,
During the trial, the jury reportedly asked Chief Jordan not to allow Shelby to return to patrol, reported Tulsa World.
One juror spoke to News9 and claimed they believed the prosecution’s case “was shoddy” and they probably could have gotten Shelby convicted “had they done a better job.”
“I don’t think she’s a bad person,” the anonymous juror told News9. “She just shouldn’t be a cop.”
Although Shelby has been cleared to return to work, Shelby’s attorney, Shannon McMurray, is unsure if her client will feel safe going back to her job, according to the Associated Press,
“She’s going to self-guess herself and get herself killed or somebody else,” McMurray said.
On Thursday morning, both Jordan and Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum hosted a news conference to discuss Shelby’s not-guilty verdict in the manslaughter trial, according to the Tulsa World.
During a press conference on Thursday, Chief Jordan stated Shelby’s employment was being reviewed by the city and police legal and human resources departments.
“We know we’ve had failings,” Jordan said in the news conference. “We understand that, and we’re committed absolutely to making a better relationship where we ensure trust and ensure cooperation in our community.”
People were not only upset she was acquitted, but they were shocked she gets to return to work
