LaRue Bratcher, a 34-year old father of five charged with first-degree murder, has remained behind bars for nearly a year after he fatally shot a man trying to burglarize his marijuana shop, Premium Smoke, LLC, located in Oklahoma City.
According to Atlanta Black Star, his family and friends have come to his defense as the trial date grows closer.
The man’s uncle, Derrick Neighbors, said at a rally for Bratcher, “Someone broke into his place.”
“He didn’t go out looking for trouble. He was in his own place of business,” he added.
His trial is set to begin later this month.
Bratcher was arrested for second-degree murder for killing 42-year-old Daniel Hardwick, the suspect in the burglary.
The businessman’s family claimed that he initially tried to fire a warning shot, but it accidentally struck Hardwick. This was Hardwick’s second attempted break-in.
Bratcher called the police and reported what had happened, according to KFOR.
Msgt. Gary Knight with the Oklahoma City Police Department said, “He was trying to break in when the business owner, who was inside the business at the time, apparently opened fire with a handgun, striking and killing the man who was breaking in.”
Police quickly noticed and to pointed out that Bratcher’s business license had expired, which lead to his initial arrest of growing marijuana without a license and the confiscation of 480 marijuana plants, which were estimated to cost about $1.5 million.
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Vicky, LaRue’s wife, recounted that, while Bratcher was out on bond, officers raided his home and pointed their guns at her while she was holding their six-month-old child.
“It was a horrible experience,” she said.
Late last year, Bratcher’s charges were updated to first-degree murder.
“It’s just me with the kids and to know that you go from one charge to the next charge and not knowing what’s going to happen,” Bratcher’s wife, who now manages his store alone, said.
“It’s like our life is in suspense right now,’ she added.
A petition named “Justice for LaRue Bratcher” with the hopes of getting Bratcher released has received more than 3,000 out of their 5,000 signatures goal.
