Oklahoma Officer to Face Trial for Fatal Shooting

Beverly Cantrell - September 22, 2021 1:19 pm

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — An Oklahoma district judge has ruled a suburban Oklahoma City police officer will face trial for the fatal shooting of a man who refused to drop a baseball bat as he approached the officer.

The Village officer Chance Avery is charged with second-degree murder, or in the alternative, first-degree manslaughter in the July 2020 shooting death of Christopher Poor.

District Judge Cindy Truong on Tuesday reversed an earlier ruling by Special Judge Lisa Hammond that prosecutors did not present evidence that Avery committed a crime.

Defense attorney Gary James said Avery legally used deadly force and he is considering appealing Truong’s ruling.

Truong said Hammond had sound reasons for her ruling, but that excessive force arguments “are questions of fact for the jury to decide.”

Avery was called to the home by Poor’s wife, who was retrieving personal belongings when Poor ran inside carrying the bat and was shot by Avery after refusing to drop the bat, police said.

“This level of force utilized by Chance Avery exceeded the level of force appropriate for the victim’s actions during this encounter,” a probable cause affidavit said.

 

Latest Stories

Oklahoma Judge Rules Death Row Inmate Not Competent to be Executed

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — An Oklahoma judge ruled Thursday that a death row inmate is not...

Area Forecast

Today Partly sunny, with a high near 73. South southwest wind 17 to 23 mph, with...

Pioneer Tech March Students of the Month

Ponca City, OK ——-Pioneer Technology Center (PTC) proudly announces Kaydence Williams and Chad Chrisco as the...