Harlan Frank Hardiman, Involuntary Manslaughter, Oklahoma 2020

A deadly altercation at the downtown Tulsa bus station in September 2020 has led to a 24-month prison sentence for Harlan Frank Hardiman, 51.

On September 3, 2020, Hardiman punched Barry James Harrell in the head at the downtown Tulsa Transit bus terminal located at 319 S. Denver Ave. The impact caused Harrell to fall and hit his head on the concrete sidewalk, resulting in a massive head bleed, called a subdural hematoma.

Harrell subsequently died from his injuries. At a November plea hearing, Hardiman admitted to punching Harrell, which led to his death.

U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Hardiman to 24 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson commended the efforts of the Tulsa Police Department and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Fletcher, who prosecuted the case.

Johnson stated, 'Harlan Hardiman punched Barry Harrell in the head and walked away. When Mr. Harrell fell, his head struck the concrete, and he lay unconscious for 15 minutes before being discovered by a Tulsa police officer. He later died as a result of the injuries sustained at the hands of the defendant.'

The FBI and Tulsa Police Department conducted the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Fletcher prosecuted the case.

Hardiman's prison sentence is a result of the increased volume of cases in the Northern District of Oklahoma due to the Supreme Court's ruling that the Creek Nation Reservation had never been officially disestablished by Congress.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndok/pr/defendant-sentenced-involuntary-manslaughter-after-killing-man-tulsa-s-downtown-bus