Tulsa County Sheriff's Office Grand Jury Petition Signatures Verified

The group pushing for a grand jury investigation of the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office says the Tulsa County Election Board has validated most of the signatures on its petition.

Tuesday, June 23rd 2015, 3:34 pm

By: Richard Clark

Tulsa County Sheriff's Office Grand Jury Petition Signatures Verified

The group pushing for a grand jury investigation of the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office says the Tulsa County Election Board has validated most of the signatures on its petition.

We The People Oklahoma turned in 8,000 signatures on Friday, June 19, 2015.

6/19/2015: Related Story: 'We The People' Submits 8,000 Signatures Supporting Investigation Into TCSO

On Tuesday, it said the Tulsa County Election Board validated 6,647 of those signatures, well above the 5,000 required by law.

Each signature on the petition had to be verified by the Board to make sure the person is registered to vote in Tulsa County.

It will now be up to a judge to call a grand jury.

Special Coverage: TCSO Reserve Deputy Shooting Controversy

The petition drive began after the killing of a drug and gun suspect by a reserve deputy.

Tulsa County reserve deputy Bob Bates, 73, is charged with manslaughter in the death of Eric Harris. Bates shot and killed Harris during an undercover gun deal April 2, 2015.

Bates said he pulled his gun instead of his Taser by mistake.