OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – A person charged with first-degree homicide and operating an unlawful marijuana develop operation is out on bail Tuesday after a 12 months behind bars, however he and his family members are saying the struggle isn’t over.
LaRue Bratcher, a black man, is accused of murdering a white man who he believed was breaking into his enterprise, Premium Smoke LLC. He was held on the Oklahoma County Detention Heart till Tuesday, after Black Lives Matter-Oklahoma Metropolis posted his bond for $400,000.
“It was such a blessed day simply to see him stroll out these doorways,” stated spouse Vicky Bratcher. “The feelings all of us had – me, my youngsters, simply all his household – it was unbelievable.”
Whereas they had been celebratory, emotions had been additionally blended as a result of LaRue is on home arrest.
“He is very blissful, excited, to be round all of us, the household, youngsters,” Vicky defined. “He is additionally very reserved. He is nonetheless not free the best way all of us are.”
In Could of 2023, LaRue shot and killed Daniel Hardwick. LaRue informed police he noticed Hardwick enter his property, on his safety cameras, via a gap within the fence.
In accordance with courtroom paperwork, LaRue grabbed his gun, then, when he heard Hardwick on the again door, he “requested the topic what he was doing,” earlier than capturing via the door 3 times “to scare the topic off.”
When he opened the door, he discovered Hardwick lifeless on the opposite facet and referred to as 911.
Bratcher admitted to police that the door was “locked and secured” when he began capturing.
The daddy of 5 and U.S. Military veteran was arrested the evening of the capturing, however only for rising marijuana with out a license. The primary-degree homicide cost got here later within the timeline of occasions.
LaRue says the medical marijuana enterprise was official, however the license lapsed. Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority information present he did beforehand have a license to develop, but it surely expired in November of 2019. As for the homicide cost, he and his household say he was simply defending himself.
“This can be a tragic accident that ought to by no means have occurred and LaRue’s coronary heart and my coronary heart goes out to the gentleman’s household, however this could have by no means occurred if the gentleman had not come to his administrative center,” stated LaRue’s uncle, Derrick Neighbors. “For me, justice is fairly easy – ‘Do I defend myself or let him break in?’ LaRue was in his personal administrative center.”
Black Lives Matter OKC can also be proclaiming justice, saying that is what they’re demanding and that is why they used their neighborhood bail fund to free LaRue.
“He had been mistreated,” stated govt director, the Rev. T. Sheri Dickerson. “I do not assume he ought to have ever been detained. Due course of isn’t a factor that occurred on this scenario. Since this miscarriage of justice started, it reveals the disparities and the variations between how black folks and our white counterparts are handled in conditions like this as a result of our perception is that Mr. Bratcher was defending himself for somebody who had intention to do him hurt and had already dedicated against the law at his enterprise.”
The Bratcher household is now merely having fun with being again collectively, his spouse sharing that LaRue says the trial can watch for now.
“He informed me he would not need to give it some thought,” Vicky stated. “We will proceed to maneuver ahead. He simply needs to atone for the final 12 months that he is missed with us.”
The Oklahoma County District Lawyer’s Workplace beforehand informed KFOR they would not remark forward of LaRue’s trial, which has been rescheduled for October.
