Oklahoma County judge steps down from pharmacist's murder case

Oklahoma County District Judge Tammy Bass-LeSure announced her decision this afternoon during a private 12-minute meeting with prosecutors and defense attorneys.

District Attorney David Prater asked her Monday morning to step down. Defense attorneys say they wanted the judge to stay on the case.

The televised jury trial for pharmacist Jerome Jay Ersland is set to begin Sept. 13. The pharmacist was charged with first-degree murder after he shot a masked robber six times in May 2009 inside the Reliable Discount Pharmacy in south Oklahoma City.

Ersland, 58, said he acted to defend himself and two female employees. Prosecutors say he went too far, shooting five more times after knocking out the unarmed robber, Antwun Parker, 16, with a shot to the head.

The change in judges means the trial could be delayed. Also, it probably will not be televised. The new judge on the case is District Judge Ray Elliott.