CNHI
CHICKASHA —
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A state district judge has stepped aside from the first-degree murder trial of a pharmacist accused in the fatal shooting of an unconscious would-be robber.
Oklahoma County District Judge Tammy Bass-LeSure recused herself Tuesday afternoon from the trial of Jerome Ersland. Bass-LeSure made the decision after a 12-minute closed meeting with District Attorney David Prater and Ersland's attorney, Irven Box.
She didn't announce her recusal in open court.
Prosecutors say Ersland went too far when he shot Antwun Parker five more times after initially shooting him in the head.
Prater declined to comment on why he asked Bass-LeSure to step aside, but denied that he was trying to intimidate her.
Box disagreed and said he'll file a motion to have Prater removed from the case.
