A federal judge granted Slager bond for the three new federal charges, which include violating Walter Scott’s civil rights, using a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, and obstruction of justice. The indictment does not accuse Slager of a hate crime.
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In April 2015, Slager, 34, said he stopped Walter Scott for a broken brake light.
Video: The brother and mother of Walter Scott said they were pleased by the announcement the former police officer who killed Scott will face federal charges. If convicted, authorities said, Slager could face life in prison.
Slager is also charged with obstruction of justice, with the grand jury saying that he knowingly misled state investigators by telling them that Scott, who was not armed, was approaching him with a Taser.
Slager initially said through his lawyer that he felt threatened during an encounter that began as a routine traffic stop, and said the 50-year-old Scott tried to grab his stun gun, according to reports.
The indictment was made public Wednesday morning. A bystander’s cell phone video captured Slager firing eight times at Scott’s back as he fled a traffic stop for a broken tail light a year ago.
The indictment adds, “The offense involved the use of a unsafe weapon, and an attempt to kill, and resulted in body injury to, and the death of, Walter Scott”. The civil rights charge can carry the death penalty, because Scott lost his life, but Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Klumb said the government is seeking a maximum of life because there are no aggravating circumstances in the case. The state has already charged him with murder. A magistrate judge said he could remain free on bail but must wear an electronic monitoring device. He had been held in solitary confinement at the Charleston County Detention Center since his arrest last April.
In October, the North Charleston City Council agreed to a $6.5 million settlement with Scott’s family.
It is rare for a law enforcement officer to be charged with criminal deprivation of civil rights in federal court, said Philip Stinson, an associate professor of criminal justice at Bowling Green State University in Ohio.
The weapon was a.45 caliber Glock pistol.
“The Department of Justice is interested in making this an impact case and sending a message to law enforcement that you can’t shoot somebody in the back”.
“Typically, these cases get tried in state court”, said Pete Strom, a former US attorney for SC now in private practice.
Walter Scott’s family and attorneys spoke in a press conference after the news of the federal charges.
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“Is there other evidence out there that tells this story in greater detail than what we have seen that was captured by the bystander?” Both Tribble and the inmate were black.
