Judge Won't Recuse Herself In Murder Trial Of Former Tulsa Police Officer

The judge who will preside over the trial of former Tulsa police officer Shannon Kepler rejected the defense's motion to recuse herself Wednesday.

Kepler is set to go to trial on Monday, October 31, 2016, on charges that he shot and killed Jeremy Lake in August of 2014. 

Richard O'Carroll, the attorney representing Kepler, filed a motion Wednesday asking Judge Sharon Holmes to recuse herself because of a speech she will give next month at a fundraiser held by the NAACP and the Christian Ministers Alliance.

Judge Holmes told the defense there's nothing inappropriate about the speech, which she said will take place at a fundraiser for a youth center and will focus on the Youthful Offender program.

"You best be sure I did my homework," she told the courtroom.

Shannon Kepler has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and two counts of shooting with intent to kill in Lake's death. Lake was his daughter's boyfriend.

8/6/2014: Related Story: Two Tulsa Police Officers Arrested After Fatal Shooting Of Daughter's Boyfriend

Also on Wednesday, Judge Holmes ruled that evidence about a gun being discovered in a trashcan at the police department soon after Lake's murder cannot be presented at the trial.

She also ruled the defense will not be allowed to ask defense witnesses if they removed a gun from the crime scene. 

The judge seemed frustrated at times when discussing the numerous motions made in the case and the delays in getting the trial underway.