The UnTold Story —

At the time I was known for an advocacy website I ran that often highlighted police offenses and those who victimize some of the most vulnerable amongst society.

I’ve known Mr. Adams both personally and professionally for several years. I’ve worked directly and indirectly on many of his cases. I first formally met Mr. Adams when I hired him in 2005 to successfully represent me when I too faced false accusations by multiple female accusers and the wrath of Oklahoma City Police Vice Lt. Doug Kimberlin and then Oklahoma County District Attorney Wes Lane – both of whom care very little about truth nor justice. In the end, my female accusers were shown to be untruthful and the original charges were all dismissed. That experience, and the work I did on my own case, convinced me to become a licensed, armed, private investigator - in hopes of helping others in similar situations. I currently own and operate Bates Investigates PI Agency.

After looking over the evidence available at that time, I told Mr. Adams that though I had no idea if Daniel was innocent or guilty, I did not believe there was anything, at that point, proving Daniel Holtzclaw had committed any crime. In fact, I agreed with Mr. Adams that much of the investigation seemed premature, bias and greatly flawed.

My next step was to meet with Daniel Holtzclaw in person.

Unlikeliest of Allies:

Upon meeting Daniel Holtzclaw for the very first time – in Mr. Adams' office, while Daniel was out of jail on bond – his first words to me were, “You know, they taught us about you in the Police Academy.”

An unflattering reference to my 20-plus years of high profile activism spotlighting street prostitution and human trafficking in Oklahoma City through my website, JohnTV.com and numerous local, national and international television appearances. Activism that often has me harshly criticizing police and the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s office. According to Daniel, the police academy, at the time, dedicated a portion of their curriculum to me specifically and how to handle any encounters with me.

Daniel Holtzclaw is over six feet tall, 270 lbs. and has the air of self-confidence that often comes with such a massive physical frame, a badge, a gun and all the authority granted to law enforcement.

To be honest, upon first glance, Daniel Holtzclaw embodied just about every negative stereotype of a police officer that I held – He was white (though in reality he is half Japanese), he obviously spends a lot of time at the gym, is cocky, and in his mind the end justifies the means when you’re a police officer protecting the citizenry from the scum of the city.

But as I spent those first few hours going over the case with Daniel Holtzclaw, I realized something far more important. Daniel Holtzclaw truly believed in his innocence and in the judicial system he placed his life on the line every day to protect.

I’ve worked on many cases with truly guilty sexual assault predators. In all those cases there was this inexplicable sense of doubt upon hearing their version of events and the involuntary feeling of the hairs beginning to stand up on the back of one’s neck simply by being in the same room with them.

That never once happened in any of my interactions with Daniel Holtzclaw.

After meeting with Mr. Adams, then with Daniel and finally with Daniel’s father, Eric Holtzclaw – who at the time was a Lieutenant at another police agency in another city in Oklahoma – I was asked to officially assist in Daniel’s defense.

Do I think Daniel Holtzclaw is Guilty or innocent?:

Since I was asked to be a part of Daniel Holtzclaw’s defense team, I have spent literally hundreds of hours with Daniel, his father, his mother, his sisters, his friends and his then girlfriend. More importantly, I’ve read, watched and listened to every piece of evidence and potential evidence in this case. I also visited each and every alleged crime scene on multiple occasions. And, I did so with the understanding that if at any time it became clear Daniel Holtzclaw was guilty, of even just a single crime, that I would bow out of the case altogether.

The fact that I assisted in this case through the entire trial and literally sat with Daniel Holtzclaw in his jail cell, until only an hour before his guilty verdict was announced, should make my opinion crystal clear.

“I do not believe Daniel Holtzclaw is guilty of the crimes he was charged with and later convicted of.” — Brian Bates

Do I know with 100% certainty that Daniel is innocent? No. The only people that know that are Daniel and his accusers.

What I do know is that the allegations against Daniel Holtzclaw are highly suspect and the investigation, prosecution and trial were far from what was depicted by the local, national and international media.

My critics will say that, “Why of course you think he’s innocent, you were hired to be a part of his defense team, you are bias!” I do not hold that opinion against my critics. I am most certainly bias. But that bias was not created as a result of blindly supporting Daniel Holtzclaw. My bias is a direct result of reviewing every piece of evidence in this case. My bias is also formed by many aspects of this case that should trouble every citizen that could one day find themselves, or a loved one, in the crosshairs of a judicial system that is being pushed along by a public hell bent on convicting a man with such questionable evidence.

Regardless of bias – because we are all guilty of having one – that doesn’t change these concerning facts: