Unarmed Black Man Case: Oklahoma ‘Taser error’ ex-officer jailed for four years

An US ex- police officer who killed an unarmed black man after apparently mistakenly using his firearm instead of his Taser was sentenced to four years in prison.

Robert Bates, 74, has been given the maximum sentence recommended by jurors for second-degree manslaughter.

He killed Eric Harris, 44, in a sting operation over firearm sales in Tulsa. The victim’s family said they didn’t believe race was a factor.

Bates’ lawyer said he would appeal.

The incident brought to the ground before he was shot and showed Mr Harris being pursued and was captured on video.

A gunshot is heard and a man says, “Oh, I shot him. I am sorry.”

Mr Harris is heard calling out “He shot me, oh my God!” He later died in hospital.

Since 2008, Bates had been a reserve deputy in Tulsa County Sheriff’s office, a volunteer place, at the time of the shooting.

He was also chief executive of an insurance firm and a significant donor to the Sheriff’s office.