Betty Shelby uninvited to law enforcement conference after criticism

Betty Shelby uninvited to law enforcement conference after criticism

Former Tulsa police officer Betty Shelby was uninvited from a homicide investigators’ conference in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, according to a statement from the organization.

Shelby, who was acquitted in the 2016 shooting death of Terence Crutcher, was scheduled to speak at the Southeastern Homicide Investigators Conference.

In a statement released Sunday, the organization stated it originally wanted Shelby to speak as part of an exercise for conference attendees to evaluate how they would have investigated the case.

“We realize now there are people around the country who do not understand why we would present this case or how our investigators could learn and benefit from hearing the case presentation which led to her arrest, prosecution and ultimate acquittal.

“After careful consideration of all perspectives of national, state and local leaders, we have rescinded the offer to have Betty Shelby speak at the 2018 Southeastern Homicide Investigators Association Conference in Baton Rouge this week.”

Shelby, along with her husband, David, and retired Tulsa Police Sgt. Dave Walker were scheduled to speak on the case at the conference which is scheduled this week.

The Shelbys were scheduled to speak on the topic “Surviving the Aftermath of a Critical Incident.” It’s unclear whether Walker’s invitation was also rescinded.

SEHIA took criticism from civil rights groups, notably the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, for inviting Shelby.

Shelby, now a Rogers County sheriff’s deputy, fatally shot Crutcher on Sept. 16, 2016, during a traffic stop while Crutcher had his hands up. Shelby claimed she believed Crutcher was reaching inside his vehicle.

In a letter to SEHIA, a group of civil rights leaders along with Crutcher’s parents, called on the organization to rescind its invitation.

“Allowing these officers to now share with a national audience of law enforcement personnel how Deputy Shelby ‘survived’ the consequences of a homicide that she committed is inconsistent with the purported work of SEHIA members — pursuing justice for homicide victims and their families.”

Source: tulsaworld.com