TULSA - Former Tulsa Police officer Shannon Kepler took the stand on Wednesday. Kepler is accused of killing his daughter's boyfriend in 2014. This is the former TPD officer's fourth trial in the case.
Three mistrials have been declared in the case of Kepler, who was charged in the August 2014 fatal shooting of 19-year-old Jeremey Lake in Tulsa.
Kepler told investigators he acted in self-defense because he thought Lake was armed, but no weapon was found at the scene.
During his testimony on Wednesday, Kepler said Lake got between him and his daughter during a confrontation. Kepler said he saw Lake pull a semi-automatic gun on him, so he fired two shots at Lake.
Kepler said he didn't render aid to Lake after shooting him because the scene was chaotic, and he didn't know if someone would attack him.
The prosecution maintained that there was no gun found that could have been used by Lake.
The jury in the Shannon Kepler trial is set to return from lunch at 2:00. Closing arguments are expected to begin then.
— Mycah Hatfield KJRH (@MycahHatfield) October 18, 2017
Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler has said in a statement that prosecutors and the Tulsa Police Department "are in full agreement that this case should proceed with prosecution."
In the most recent trial, held this summer, jurors deadlocked after almost three hours of deliberations.
Kunzweiler released the following statement at that time:
"After consultation with the Tulsa Police Department, we are in full agreement that this case should proceed with prosecution. As I have stated previously, the very nature of our criminal justice system is premised upon the finality of a verdict. Mr. Kepler deserves that and so does Jeremy Lake’s family. As with all individuals who are charged with a crime, the presumption of innocence remains until a judge or jury determines otherwise."
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
Download our free app for Apple and Android and Kindle devices.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines and Daily Forecasts.
