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A controversial decision to send a pharmacist to jail for life for shooting dead a young man who tried to rob his store has caused a storm of protest. Jerome Ersland was given a life sentence for the first-degree murder of 16-year-old Antwun Parker at an Oklahoma court last week. The 59-year-old pharmacist shot the youngster six times during an attempted armed robbery in 2009, leading jurors to decide he had acted beyond the limits of self defence. Thousands in the area have, however, reacted furiously to the decision, insisting Mr Ersland had simply acted to protect himself, his store...

OKLAHOMA CITY - An emotional jury decided Thursday that pharmacist Jerome Jay Ersland is guilty of first-degree murder for fatally shooting a masked robber two years ago in an Oklahoma City drugstore. Jurors recommended life in prison as punishment. Two co-workers at Reliable Discount Pharmacy told jurors that Ersland was a hero who saved their lives on May 19, 2009. Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=14&articleid=20110527_222_A15_CUTLIN912500

An emotional jury Thursday decided pharmacist Jerome Jay Ersland was guilty of first-degree murder for fatally shooting a masked robber two years ago inside an Oklahoma City drugstore. Jurors chose life in prison as punishment.

Oklahomans Outraged Over Ersland Conviction Residents Ask Gov. Mary Fallin To Pardon Jerome Ersland POSTED: 5:51 pm CDT May 27, 2011 UPDATED: 6:07 pm CDT May 27, 2011 OKLAHOMA CITY -- Some Oklahomans are outraged over the conviction of pharmacist Jerome Ersland, and they are turning to social media to voice their opinions. A jury found Ersland guilty of murder in connection with the fatal shooting of 16-year-old Antwun Parker, sparking a backlash of citizens outraged with the verdict. Dozens of calls have been made to Gov. Mary Fallin's office along with messages posted on the governor's Facebook wall, asking...

<p>OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A jury has convicted an Oklahoma City pharmacist once hailed as a hero after shooting a robbery suspect to death during a 2009 robbery.</p> <p>Jerome Ersland was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of 16-year-old Antwun Parker after the boy and another teenager tried to rob his drug store in a crime-ridden part of south Oklahoma City.</p>

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A jury has found Jerome Ersland guilty of first-degree murder after he shot and killed Antwan Parker who was attempting to rob Ersland's southside pharmacy. They are suggesting life...

When Jerome Jay Ersland, has his day in court, Oklahoma's self-defense laws will be tested too. The 57-year-old-pharmacist was charged with first-degree murder as a result of shooting death that took place May 19, 2009. Two teenage boys entered the Reliable Discount Pharmacy in Oklahoma City where Ersland worked, but Ersland was able to chase only one of the youths out the door of the store. The other youth, 16-year-old Antwun Parker, was shot by Ersland six times. Oklahoma was among the first states to enact the self-defense legislation referred to as the Make My Day law. The law, named...

A second bill filed over publicity of an Oklahoma City pharmacist being charged with murder after he shot a masked robber was approved Monday by a House panel. Advertisement House Bill 2088 would consider it self-defense if someone, in fear of one's own life or in the defense of others, killed another during an armed robbery. The bill's author, Rep. Randy Terrill, said the measure will be expanded to cover those who kill someone while defending themselves or others from murder and rape. The House Judiciary Committee approved HB 2088 by a vote of 15-2. It now goes to the...

OKLAHOMA CITY — A lawyer for a pharmacist charged with killing a teenage would-be robber blasted the leak of a confidential psychologist's report that portrays the dead youth's accomplice in the robbery attempt as a victim instead of a criminal. "This is another release to the press that is essentially trying to say 'poor young man,'" lawyer Irven Box told The Associated Press on Sunday. "It could prejudice a jury in this case to thinking that someone with an IQ of 72 is actually the victim." Box represents pharmacist Jerome Ersland, who faces a first-degree murder charge accusing him of...

The pharmacist who fatally shot a robber was ordered Wednesday to face a murder trial. Oklahoma County Special Judge Greg Ryan agreed prosecutors had sufficient evidence against pharmacist Jerome Jay Ersland for trial. Ersland, 58, of Chickasha, is charged with first-degree murder. He gulped as the judge ruled. He once had expected to be cleared at his preliminary hearing, writing the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation in July that "justice will prevail shortly.”

A judge said Wednesday she’ll consider allowing the televising of court proceedings involving a druggist charged with murder. Three television stations are seeking permission from Oklahoma County District Judge Tammy Bass-LeSure to televise the pharmacist’s case, including "the preliminary hearing and any resulting jury trial.” The judge told The Oklahoman she will consider the request. "In this case, which is one generating an immense amount of public interest, it is especially appropriate to permit the public to observe court proceedings,” said attorneys for Oklahoma City stations KWTV-9 and KFOR-4 and Tulsa station KOTV-6. Jerome Jay Ersland fatally shot a robber...

A pharmacist charged with murder told police he had killed before, while overseas in the first Gulf War. But according to his military records, he was never there. Instead, Jerome Jay Ers-land spent the war in 1991 as the pharmacy chief at the military hospital at Altus Air Force Base in southwestern Oklahoma, records show. Ersland fatally shot a robber May 19 at the Reliable Discount Pharmacy in Oklahoma City. The shooting attracted national attention when prosecutors charged him with first-degree murder, alleging he went too far while defending himself. Military veterans rallied to his support after he described himself...

The robber killed by a pharmacist in May died from gunshots to his body, not the shot to his head, the state chief medical examiner confirmed in the autopsy report. Antwun Rayshaun Parker, 16, of Oklahoma City was knocked out after being shot in the head and would have survived that injury, Dr. Collie Trant told The Oklahoman. Pharmacist Jerome Jay Ersland is charged with first-degree murder in a case that sparked a national debate. Prosecutors allege he went too far because he shot the robber five more times after knocking the robber unconscious with the shot to the head....

A judge ruled Thursday for a second time that prosecutors can get the military records of a pharmacist charged with first-degree murder. Attorneys for Jerome Jay Ersland have until Wednesday to appeal. Oklahoma County District Judge Tammy Bass-LeSure ruled June 10 and again Thursday that prosecutors can subpoena Ersland’s military records. Ersland served in the Army and Air Force. Ersland, 57, of Chickasha is accused of going too far when he fatally shot a robber May 19 at Reliable Discount Pharmacy in Oklahoma City. Killed was Antwun "Speedy” Parker, 16.

Pharmacy murder suspect Jerome Jay Ersland will ask a state appeals court to block prosecutors from obtaining copies of his military records, his attorney said Wednesday. Attorney Irven Box unsuccessfully challenged a subpoena for Ersland’s military records, arguing they were not relevant to the murder charge against his client stemming from the death of a robber in a May 19 robbery attempt. Oklahoma County District Judge Tammy Bass-LeSure refused to quash the subpoena being sought by prosecutors, but she did agree to allow Box time to appeal her ruling. The judge echoed some of Box’s concerns about the potentially sensitive...

Friends and supporters of pharmacist Jerome Jay Ersland of Chickasha have established an account at a local bank for anyone wanting to contribute to Ersland’s legal defense. Ersland, 57, was charged with first-degree murder last week after he shot one of two teen-agers trying to rob the Oklahoma City pharmacy where he worked. Prosecutors say Ersland was justified in the intial shot that wounded and incapcitated the 16-year-old but he crossed the line into murder when he pumped an additional five shots into the youngster while he lay unconscious on the floor.Donations can be made to the “Jerome Ersland Defense...

The two men accused of orchestrating the Reliable Discount Pharmacy robbery are violent, convicted robbers who have been in trouble most of their lives, records show. Both have spent years in prison for past crimes. Emanuel D. Mitchell, 31, and Anthony D. Morrison, 43, face a first-degree murder charge in a case that has received national attention. They are accused of recruiting two boys, Jevontia Ingram, 14, and Antwun "Speedy” Parker, 16, to rob the Oklahoma City pharmacy May 19 of drugs and money while they waited outside. The two men and Ingram are charged with murder because Parker was...

The judge overruled the defense's motion to quash the subpoena for Jerome Ersland's military records. Ersland was charged with murder last month after he shot back at two would-be robbers on May 19 at a south Oklahoma City pharmacy. Prosecutors say Ersland exceeded his legal authority to defend himself by shooting 16-year-old Antwun Parker five times after a first shot rendered the teen unconscious. Attorney Irven Box objected the subpoena saying the records could contain privileged information about Ersland. "First, we don't know what's in those military records. I don't know if there are statements my client has made that...

Anthony Morrison, one of four people charged with murder in the death of Antwun "Speedy" Parker, 16, is in the Oklahoma County jail after his capture Wednesday in Wewoka, authorities said. Morrison, 43, is accused of orchestrating a robbery attempt May 19 at Reliable Discount Pharmacy in south Oklahoma City. During the robbery Parker was shot and killed by pharmacist Jerome Ersland, 57. Ersland, Emanuel Mitchell, 31, and Jevontia Ingram, 14, all face first-degree murder charges.

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma City pharmacist charged with murder in the shooting death of a teenage would-be robber defended himself on national television Monday night. Jerome Ersland appeared on the O'Reilly Factor on Fox News with his attorney Irven Box. Ersland was charged with murder last week after he shot back at two would-be robbers on May 19 at a south Oklahoma City pharmacy. Prosecutors say Ersland exceeded his legal authority to defend himself by shooting 16-year-old Antwun Parker five times after a first shot rendered the teen unconscious. In his TV appearance last night, Ersland said the teen...