Law Enforcement & Legal

Jury convicts Okla. pharmacist in suspect's death

Written by Dick Pryor Friday, 27 May 2011 18:33

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A jury has convicted an Oklahoma City pharmacist once hailed as a hero after shooting a robbery suspect to death during a 2009 robbery. Jerome Ersland was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of 16-year-old Antwun Parker after the boy and another teenager tried to rob his drug store in a crime-ridden part of south Oklahoma City. Defense lawyers said Ersland had a right to protect himself and his workers. Prosecutors said Ersland became an "executioner" when he shot Parker five times in the abdomen after initially knocking Parker over with a shot to the head. A coroner's report said the later shots actually killed the teenager.

 

Closing arguments in OKC pharmacy shooting trial

Written by Dick Pryor Thursday, 26 May 2011 18:39

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Prosecutors called an Oklahoma City pharmacist an "executioner" during closing arguments of his first-degree murder trial in the shooting death of a teenager during an attempted robbery. Defense attorneys say pharmacist Jerome Ersland is a hero and acted in self-defense when he shot and killed 16-year-old Antwun Parker during the May 2009 robbery attempt at Reliable Discount Pharmacy.

Closing arguments were Thursday in Ersland's trial. The jury began deliberating about 12:40 p.m. Prosecutors say Ersland was justified when he shot Parker in the head and knocked him unconscious, but went too far when he shot the unconscious teen five more times. Ersland faces life in prison if convicted of first-degree murder. The jury could also convict him of first-degree manslaughter, which carries a minimum sentence of four years.

 

12 jurors selected in Okla. pharmacy shooting

Written by Dick Pryor Thursday, 19 May 2011 22:31

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Twelve jurors have been selected with two alternates now needed for the trial of an Oklahoma City pharmacist charged with first-degree murder in the death of a teenager during an armed robbery. Eight women and four men were seated as jurors shortly before 11:30 a.m. Thursday before the trial recessed for lunch. Efforts to pick two alternate jurors will continue Thursday afternoon with opening statements to follow in the trial of Jerome Ersland.
Ersland is charged in the May 19, 2009, shooting death of 16-year-old Antwun Parker during a robbery at a south Oklahoma City pharmacy. He's pleaded not guilty and says he acted in self-defense. Prosecutors say Ersland was justified when he shot Parker in the head and knocked him unconscious, but went too far when he shot the teen five more times.

 

US judge hears dispute tied to Oklahoma City blast

Written by Dick Pryor Thursday, 12 May 2011 17:47

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - A federal judge in Utah has ordered the FBI to produce more information about its record-keeping in response to an inquiry by a man who contends unreleased video and other records from the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing will show more people were involved in the attack. U.S. District Judge Clark Waddoups said Wednesday that Salt Lake City attorney Jesse Trentadue has raised valid questions about whether the agency has done enough to find a pair of videotapes sought as part of a Freedom of Information Act request by Trentadue The ruling came during a hearing in U.S. District Court in Salt Lake City. Government attorneys have until June 30 to provide the information on record-keeping and policies. Trentadue sued to get access to the tapes in 2008.