Former Marijuana Grow Business Owner Will Not Face Prison Time For Shooting Death Of Alleged Burglar

An Oklahoma Army Veteran convicted of shooting and killing a man allegedly trying to break into his marijuana grow business has been sentenced and will not face prison time. It has been a long road for LaRue Bratcher, the nightmare beginning in May of 2020.

Bratcher recently took a 10-year probation sentence and will be under the state’s Department of Corrections supervision. Bratcher’s attorney, Clay Curtis, said they wanted to avoid a trial so Bratcher would remain with his family.

For nearly three years, Bratcher and his supporters maintained his innocence in the shooting death of 42-year-old Daniel Hardwick. One of Bratcher’s supporters spoke out at a court hearing last February.

“He didn’t do anything that I wouldn’t have done,” said Jabee Williams, a supporter of Bratcher. “Anybody else wouldn’t have done.”

Investigators said Hardwick was attempting to break into the Army veteran's marijuana grow warehouse.

“The state alleges he unnecessarily shot a burglar,” said Clay Curtis, attorney. “He believed it was necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself.”

Prosecutors lowered Bratcher's charge from first-degree murder to second-degree murder last February. Eventually prosecutors dismissed the charge and amended it to first-degree manslaughter.

Two weeks before the manslaughter trial, Bratcher took an Alford plea.

“He did maintain his innocence on that manslaughter plea, but I think he wants to make sure he’s at home with his family,” said Curtis. “Because of those risks that are inherent in a jury trial which obviously has the potential for an uncertain outcome, he took that deal.”

Bratcher's plea also included a sentencing on charges he did not have a proper license to grow marijuana.

Hardwick's family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Bratcher that is still pending in court.

Part of the deal allows Bratcher to transfer his probation to another state, should he decide to move out of Oklahoma.