Subscribe
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE

Daniel Holtzclaw, a former Oklahoma City police officer who allegedly sexually assaulted 13 women, is on trial as he faces 36 charges overall. A jury was selected this morning and opening statements will be heard in court later today.

The explosive case unfolded after Holtzclaw’s arrest in August 2014 after a 57-year-old grandmother came forward and accused the officer of sexual assault. Although details haven’t been made available to major media outlets, chatter on social media seems to suggest that all 13 women who accuse Holtzclaw of harassing or assaulting them are Black.

More from KOCO:

Eight men and four women will serve on the jury for Daniel Holtzclaw. Attorneys still have to select two alternates for the jury.

Prosecutors allege Holtzclaw committed crimes ranging from burglary to sexual assault against 13 women while he was on duty.

The Oklahoma City Police Department fired Holtzclaw in January. He was arrested in August 2014 after an investigation. At that time, seven victims had come forward. An additional six victims were identified after the initial charges were filed.

Holtzclaw was initially given a $5 million bond, but the bond was reduced to $500,000. He bonded out of jail, but violated the terms when he went to a doctor’s appointment without notifying the court. He served a short jail sentence and was allowed to go back on house arrest, but his bond was increased to $609,000.

Earlier this year, Holtzclaw had a second bond violation when his ankle monitoring system went dead. He was required to keep it charged. He was put back in jail, where he has been since that incident.

The 28-year-old Holtzclaw was a three-year veteran of the force and a former football player. The charges Holtzclaw faces range from rape, sexual battery, and other related charges.

Watch KOCO’s Monday video report regarding the jury selection in the clip below.

Photo: Oklahoma City Police Department