Terence Crutcher‘s full autopsy results could shed light on what occurred on September 16, but they have not been completed. Meanwhile, the family and the public will have to try to read through Crutcher’s preliminary autopsy results that were released this Friday.
Authorities had little to say other than the 40-year-old man was killed by a “penetrating gunshot wound of the chest.” Oklahoma state medical examiner’s office’s spokeswoman Amy Elliott said in a statement that Crutcher’s death was ruled as a homicide.
In the same statement, Eliot said they have no date on when the full autopsy report and toxicology results will be ready.
It has been one week since the killing of Crutcher by Tulsa Officer Betty Shelby. Crutcher, who took classes at a local college, was returning home when his car was stopped in the middle of a roadway.
Officials in Oklahoma were quick to release several videos that showed Crutcher walking to his vehicle with his hands up, being approached by several officers, and eventually being shot by Shelby.
Crutcher was rushed to a nearby hospital where he died. On Thursday, Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler charged Shelby with one count of first-degree manslaughter. The following day, she turned herself in and was released 15 minutes later after she posted a $50,000 bond.
Shelby claimed that Crutcher was acting erratically and was not obeying her commands. She also said that she feared for life when she saw Crutcher reaching for something in his car. According to the affidavit:
“He was mumbling to himself and would not answer any of Officer Shelby’s questions. Mr. Crutcher kept putting his hands in his pockets, and Officer Shelby kept telling him to show his hands. At that point, Mr. Crutcher began walking towards the abandoned vehicle with his hands held up and was not responding to any of Officer Shelby’s commands to stop.”
No weapon was found in Crutcher’s vehicle, but police did discover a vial of PCP. Shelby’s attorney said she is a drug-recognition expert and understood right away that Crutcher was behaving like he was under the influence of PCP.
Crutcher’s twin sister, Dr. Tiffany Crutcher, said her family was pleased to learn of the charge, but she is hoping that this case will not end like the various police-related cases in America where the person charged was able to walk free. The family’s attorney, Damario Solomon-Simmons, added:
“The family wants and deserves full justice. Not only for this family, not only for Terence but to be a deterrent for law officers all around this nation to know that you cannot kill unarmed citizens.”
If convicted, Shelby faces between four years and life in prison. No date has been set for the trial.
