The Oklahoma City police detective who said a fellow officer shot Bennie Edwards in the back “unnecessarily,” is taking back his words. The retraction could jeopardize multiple criminal prosecutions.
Detective Bryn Carter retracted his February 24 statement nearly one week after signing it.
Prosecutors used Carter’s statement to support their decision to charge Sgt. Clifford Holman with first-degree manslaughter after he shot and killed 60-year-old Edwards.
According to The Oklahoman, Carter said he didn’t believe what he wrote in his sworn affidavit even as he wrote it. He didn’t give any further explanation.
Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater said the retraction wouldn’t “affect the charge” against Holman.
Oklahoma City police launched an internal investigation of Carter and found he didn’t do anything wrong.
But Prater said this proves Oklahoma City police cannot be trusted to investigate their own. He said he would refer the issue to the state Attorney General’s office.
According to The Oklahoman, prosecutors are expected to stop using Carter as a witness in future cases and defense attorneys are already using his retraction to cast doubt in other cases.
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