If convicted, Slager could face a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $250,000 fine.
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“Today is a happy day because Walter Scott, Officer Slager, they joined that four percent”, Bamberg said.
Slager’s gross abuse of the law served as another reminder of how unarmed Black man are often terrorized by police across the nation.
The deprivation of rights charge returned Wednesday alleges that Slager violated Scott’s right to be free of unreasonable force, while the weapon charge says simply that Slager employed a.45-caliber Glock in depriving Scott of his rights. He has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge and was released on bond earlier this year.
As stated by many already today, this is an unprecedented step by the Department of Justice.
Slager is set to be tried in state court on these federal charges. Citing the length of defendant’s incarceration prior to his court date, Circuit Judge Clifton Newman, who oversaw the state hearing, ruled that Slager was entitled to the reconsideration of release before his trial on state charges.
Scott’s arrest came amidst a growing sea of unrest after several high profile killings of black victims by white cops.
After the arraignment, Scott’s family and the family’s lawyer, Justin Bamberg, held a news conference to address the indictment. “They can’t bring Walter back, but if Walter can be the reason that the federal government starts taking these cases. if Walter Scott can be that example than his death wasn’t in vain”. “I think it is making a statement from the Justice Department angle that they are not going to sit idly by, while state prosecutions go on”.
“Is there other evidence out there that tells this story in greater detail than what we have seen that was captured by the bystander?”
A lawyer for Mr Scott’s family said the federal charges were historic.
Scheduling of the trials for these cases is in the discretion of the South Carolina Circuit Court for the state charges and the United States District Court for the federal charges.
The third count, charging obstruction of justice, alleges that Slager intentionally misled state investigators about the encounter, “falsely stating that he fired his weapon at Scott while Scott was coming forward at him with a Taser”, the indictment reads.
The AP left a message seeking comment from Slager’s attorney.
“It seems very extreme, and the timing is very interesting”, the statement said. Sager will first go to trial on state charges in the fall.
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Mr Slager was sacked from his job and North Charleston approved a $6.5m civil settlement with Mr Scott’s family last autumn.
