OKC Pharmacist Makes Court Appearance

A pharmacist charged with first-degree murder in the death of a would-be teen robber has been arraigned before an Oklahoma County judge.

Friday, June 26th 2009, 9:13 am

By: News On 6

Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A pharmacist charged with first-degree murder in the death of a would-be teen robber has been arraigned before an Oklahoma County judge.

Jerome Ersland, 57, was arraigned Friday before Special Judge Russell B. Hall. Hall scheduled a preliminary hearing conference in the case for September 3 and allowed Ersland to remain free on $100,000 bond.

Ersland did not enter a plea and said nothing following the brief court hearing.

Ersland is accused in the May 19 shooting death of 16-year-old Antwun Parker as Parker and another teen tried to rob the pharmacy.

Prosecutors say Ersland was justified in shooting Parker once but that he went too far when he got a second gun and shot the teenager five more times as he lay on the floor.

Earlier Friday, NewsOn6.com and News9.com held a statewide live chat to discuss the arraignment of Jerome Ersland.

The chat featured State Rep. Randy Terrill and Oklahoma City attorney Steve Huddleston. Terrill was one the of the authors of Oklahoma's "Stand Your Ground Law."

Huddleston is not involved in the case, but offered his insight as a criminal defense lawyer.