The Oklahoma police officer charged in the death of 40-year-old Terence Crutcher on Friday pleaded not guilty to one count of first-degree manslaughter.
Flanked by her attorneys, Tulsa police officer Betty Shelby was in court for less than 10 minutes Friday morning. A judge read the charge against her and she entered a not guilty plea before leaving the courtroom.
Shelby shot and killed Crutcher on Sept. 16, sparking protests amid a broader conversation about police violence and race. Shelby is white and Crutcher was black.
Shelby and her attorneys say she feared for her life before firing the shots. Prosecutors say she acted unreasonably when she fired.
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