Pharmacist Charged With Murder Returns to Work

By Amy Lester, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Jerome Ersland, the pharmacist charged with murder after fatally shooting a would-be robber, returned to work Tuesday to find many supporting customers.

Ersland quickly made his way back into the Reliable Pharmacy, escorted by a security guard and surrounded by encouraging customers.

"I sure worry about his safety," said customer Tressa Pierce. "If you lived on the south side of Oklahoma City all your life, you would too."

Ersland's case has been covered in national news, including an interview with Fox News' Bill O'Reilly.

With the growing news coverage of his case, many are wondering if his lawyer, Irven Box, will try to move the case out of Oklahoma County.

"I guess I didn't grasp when this first came out, that it would cause this much media attention," Box said.

When there's such a big spotlight on a case, often times, defense lawyers ask for a change in venue.

"It crossed my mind that there might need to be a change of venue when the tape was shown to the public by the district attorney on the first day in the press conference," Box said.

But now, Box said he's thinking differently after hearing the positive comments from the public.

"I've had clients where you couldn't find one person in the county who supported the client, but in this case, when it seems like the majority of people support him, I want the trial here in Oklahoma County," Box said.

District Attorney David Prater also plans to keep the case in Oklahoma County.

"Since the act was alleged to have occurred in Oklahoma County, it's only just that Oklahoma County citizens determine the disposition of this case," Prater said.

Both the prosecution and defense said they want the case to remain in Oklahoma County.

More on News9.com:
- Pharmacist Defends Actions on National TV
- OCU Students Warned to Look for Robbery Suspect
- More Charges Filed in Pharmacy Shooting
- Judge's Life Threatened Over Pharmacy Case
- Second Pharmacy Robbery Suspect Arrested
- Pharmacist Released from Jail on Bail
- Pharmacist Charged With Murder After Shooting Robber
- Employee Shoots at Robbers: 1 Killed, 1 at Large
- Read the text of Oklahoma's Stand Your Ground Law