OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma City black community is standing up in support of embattled Oklahoma County District Judge Tammy Bass-Lesure. Members of the Oklahoma City NAACP chapter asked for a Department Of Justice civil rights investigation into the Oklahoma County DA's office.
The pastor of Fairview Baptist Church, John Reed, says, "Judge Bass-Lesure has made very sound and difficult decisions in the past. We are confident she will do so in the future." About two dozen pastors and community leaders accused DA David Prater of racism. Oklahoma NAACP Chapter President Anthony Douglas says, "We need more minority judges on the bench. We need more African American judges on the bench. We need this DA's office investigated."
The group was critical of several issues with the Jerome Ersland case, but they refused to answer any media inquiries about the reason Judge Bass Lesure recused herself from the Ersland case. They would not address the issue that Bass Lesure allegedly offered special treatment to one of the attorneys on the Ersland case.
Oklahoma County DA David Prater denies every accusation of racism. Prater says, "All litigants in this courthouse and in this state and in this country deserve a fair trial, no matter which side you're on. What became obvious to us is that the State of Oklahoma was not going to be able to get a fair trial due to some alleged activities by the judge in this case. It's incredibly unfortunate that this judge did this. It's incredibly irresponsible. It's immoral, and it's corrupt. It's her fault, no one else's, that we're in this situation right now."
DA David Prater says he will answer every question from the US Department of Justice if they open an investigation.
The pastor of Fairview Baptist Church, John Reed, says, "Judge Bass-Lesure has made very sound and difficult decisions in the past. We are confident she will do so in the future." About two dozen pastors and community leaders accused DA David Prater of racism. Oklahoma NAACP Chapter President Anthony Douglas says, "We need more minority judges on the bench. We need more African American judges on the bench. We need this DA's office investigated."
The group was critical of several issues with the Jerome Ersland case, but they refused to answer any media inquiries about the reason Judge Bass Lesure recused herself from the Ersland case. They would not address the issue that Bass Lesure allegedly offered special treatment to one of the attorneys on the Ersland case.
Oklahoma County DA David Prater denies every accusation of racism. Prater says, "All litigants in this courthouse and in this state and in this country deserve a fair trial, no matter which side you're on. What became obvious to us is that the State of Oklahoma was not going to be able to get a fair trial due to some alleged activities by the judge in this case. It's incredibly unfortunate that this judge did this. It's incredibly irresponsible. It's immoral, and it's corrupt. It's her fault, no one else's, that we're in this situation right now."
DA David Prater says he will answer every question from the US Department of Justice if they open an investigation.
