OHP demands Tulsa withhold records in trooper shooting cover-up.

[Vashta Nerada]

OHP demands Tulsa withhold records in trooper shooting cover-up.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol demanded public records related to an off-duty troopers late-night visit to a Tulsa motel be kept secret.
The trooper shot and killed an unarmed man he claimed threatened him with a weapon, though no weapon was found at the scene.
Open Records Requests by the Tulsa World for 911 calls related to the incident, which are routinely granted by the city, were denied as OHP took control of a homicide investigation involving one of their own.  

Several people at the scene were taken in for questioning.
Justin Ficher told reporters he was a friend of the victim and was inside of the Best Budget Inn when the shooting happened.
"I'm still pretty much in shock," said Ficher, " We were on the second floor balcony having a few drinks and talking then I went up to go to sleep and I hear a couple of gunshots and then the cops burst in my door and handcuff me."

OHP said Trooper Sheldon Robinson, who won the agency's 2012 award for humanitarianism, was suspended with pay after fatally shooting Michael Troy Swatosh, 25, of Tulsa.

Just days later, another lawman would find himself in trouble at a nearby motel when he was arrested for soliciting prostitution from an undercover hooker.
Tulsa Police Cpl. David Turner, 52, of Broken Arrow was booked into the Tulsa Jail on Wednesday on complaints of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and engaging in prostitution within 1,000 feet of a church, according to an arrest report.

[patric]

So, it was a big surprise that the DA walked away from it?

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/ohp-trooper-won-t-face-charges-in-tulsa-fatal-shooting/article_536a5fbf-19b5-5fad-b4cd-7c53a6fa56a2.html

[DolfanBob]

Wish I could get a 5 Month paid Vacation for killing someone. Not even on the clock. Only in Law Enforcement.

[AquaMan]

And, he probably got laid too.

[Conan71]

And, he probably got laid too.

By Gov. Mary???

[Townsend]

By Gov. Mary???

Just before she asked them if they were going to arrest her for smoking...

[AquaMan]

Cause they know. When asked if she smoked afterwards....she said...wait for it...."I've never really looked!".

[patric]

And, he probably got laid too.

What public servants do at crack hotels on their off hours is entirely their own business, as long as they dont kill anyone...

[guido911]

Here is a link to a recent Open Records Act case that might be useful to some in here. I have had my struggles with compliance with this statute recently, and know it has taken civil actions to gain compliance.

http://splashurl.com/m349ctt

[Breadburner]

That deal smelled fishy for sure.....!!

[Vashta Nerada]

Passing the Trash:  Trooper fired after killing not charged, eligible for police work elsewhere.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/crimewatch/ohp-trooper-fired-for-fatal-off-duty-shooting-at-tulsa/article_d1020e54-94a2-5275-aed4-d7c030b71a85.html

An Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper fired last month for killing a man outside a Tulsa motel more than a year ago was there attempting to meet a "scantily clad female" wearing only "boy shorts and a bra," according to a termination letter provided to the Tulsa World.

Sheldon Robinson, 46, shot and killed 25-year-old Michael Troy Swatosh outside Best Budget Inn at Admiral Boulevard and Sheridan Road about 1 a.m. Sept. 1. Robinson was placed on paid administrative leave following the shooting, where he remained for nearly a year before he was terminated last month for policy violations.

Those policy violations were revealed Friday when the OHP released Robinson's termination letter.

Robinson was fired for six policy violations, including "conduct unbecoming an officer," "truthfulness," "insubordination," "public example," "immoral conduct," and "conformance to laws."

Questions surrounding the shooting arose almost immediately following Swatosh's death, including why Robinson — who lived in Bixby, was assigned to security duty at the Oklahoma Capitol and was off duty — was in the area in the first place.

Robinson first said he was driving past the motel when he saw Swatosh and another man, identified in court documents as Justin Fischer, point handguns at him. Robinson said he identified himself as a trooper, then fired at Swatosh, shooting him six times in the chest and abdomen.

Swatosh had no history of criminal charges in Oklahoma but tested positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine according to his autopsy report.

Robinson, according to OHP investigators, said he was in the area to "visit a friend at a night club, go to a casino and run errands," but the termination letter says investigators determined Robinson stopped at the motel — in an area "known for prostitution and illegal drug activity" — to meet a "scantily clad female" he noticed while driving.

An affidavit for a search warrant filed last year said Robinson was seen on surveillance footage both outside the motel's office and on the second floor about 15 minutes before the shooting. It was only after attempting to meet the woman that Robinson saw Swatosh and Fischer and engaged them, according to the document.

OHP investigated the shooting and eventually turned over a 502-page report to the Tulsa County District Attorney's Office, who said in January they would not be charging Robinson for the shooting, saying they did not find him "criminally liable."

However, the termination letter states that the DA's office "made a point to acknowledge that the (OHP) investigation report suggested that your statements during the investigation were contradictory and at odds with a portion of the evidence."

The report released Friday said Robinson "engaged in deceptive conduct" multiple times during the investigation, changing his story and "withholding vital information." The Highway Patrol Chief's Review Board at one point "pleaded with (Robinson) to provide complete and accurate information," and eventually characterized Robinson's behavior and conduct leading up to the shooting as "atrocious."

One paragraph of the report states that although Robinson was off-duty and not in uniform when he arrived at the motel, he was wearing his OHP badge on his belt. The report placed specific importance on this fact, saying: "Troopers have died in the line of duty wearing that badge. It should not be a part of your outfit when you seek to acquaint yourself with women in an establishment and in area with a reputation for illegal and immoral activities."

Robinson had won the OHP's 2012 Humanitarianism award and noted to investigators that he had received no discipline in 17 years with the department.

However, the report said Robinson had received four instances of informal discipline and at least two instances of formal discipline.

"Not only is this not mitigating evidence, but it serves as yet another example of your untruthfulness," the report states.

[Vashta Nerada]

Wish I could get a 5 Month paid Vacation for killing someone. Not even on the clock. Only in Law Enforcement.

Family of man killed by off-duty trooper at Tulsa motel wins $2 million in wrongful death lawsuit

Why isnt this murderer on Death Row instead of being bailed out by the taxpayers ?

[Conan71]

Family of man killed by off-duty trooper at Tulsa motel wins $2 million in wrongful death lawsuit

Why isnt this murderer on Death Row instead of being bailed out by the taxpayers ?

In this instance, DPS settled on behalf of taxpayers for $25,000.  The $2mm judgement is against the trooper and he will likely bankrupt out of that, IMO.  My understanding from an earlier article is that the family is trying to push for criminal charges and that has not been ruled out.

[Vashta Nerada]

In this instance, DPS settled on behalf of taxpayers for $25,000.  The $2mm judgement is against the trooper and he will likely bankrupt out of that

Then he'll know how it feels.
Dont pitty the murderer -- that's like feeling sorry for the Owasso cop that got dragged by a car because he simply refused to let go of the steering wheel.

Despite $2 million wrongful death win, woman seeks to put ex-trooper behind bars rather than collect payments

"(the trooper) had an issue for whatever reason with Michael, who was sitting on the steps, leaves the hotel, gets in his car, drives off, comes back, pulls his chain out of his shirt — he was wearing an OHP badge — gets his gun, runs up the steps and just unloads on Michael," Khalaf said. "That is as criminal as it gets."

"Qualified Immunity" has meant "get away with murder" so Im all for holding offenders acting under color of law responsible for their actions.
Its insane that taxpayers foot the bill when the 'Warrior Heroes' let a paralyzed man die naked on the jail floor, or that a cop looses a promotion because he didnt care if the drunk he beat to death died in front of a security camera.

What hasn't been addressed is OHP's Department of Public safety who actively participated in a cover-up.  Cops supporting each other is one thing, but cops covering for bad cops is why people look down on the whole institution.

[Conan71]

Then he'll know how it feels.
Dont pitty the murderer -- that's like feeling sorry for the Owasso cop that got dragged by a car because he simply refused to let go of the steering wheel.

Despite $2 million wrongful death win, woman seeks to put ex-trooper behind bars rather than collect payments

"(the trooper) had an issue for whatever reason with Michael, who was sitting on the steps, leaves the hotel, gets in his car, drives off, comes back, pulls his chain out of his shirt — he was wearing an OHP badge — gets his gun, runs up the steps and just unloads on Michael," Khalaf said. "That is as criminal as it gets."

"Qualified Immunity" has meant "get away with murder" so Im all for holding offenders acting under color of law responsible for their actions.
Its insane that taxpayers foot the bill when the 'Warrior Heroes' let a paralyzed man die naked on the jail floor, or that a cop looses a promotion because he didnt care if the drunk he beat to death died in front of a security camera.

What hasn't been addressed is OHP's Department of Public safety who actively participated in a cover-up.  Cops supporting each other is one thing, but cops covering for bad cops is why people look down on the whole institution.

I'm still unclear if Tim Harris' DA office simply did not have enough evidence at the time which has now come to light or if Harris and Doug Drummond simply gave him a pass because he was an LEO.

From what they are saying was revealed in the DPS in investigation which got the trooper fired and evidence during the civil trial.