Michael Slager, the former SC police officer who is scheduled to be tried in state court on murder charges for the killing of unarmed black man Walter Scott during a traffic stop, was indicted this week on federal civil rights charges by an state grand jury.
Advertisement
Michael Slager, who is white, has been charged with violating the civil rights of Walter Scott, who was unarmed and running away when he was shot.
A former United States police officer has been indicted on federal charges over the fatal shooting of a black motorist in SC previous year, one of a series of incidents that sparked protests over perceived racist abuses by law enforcement.
Scott’s death was one of a number of killings past year that provoked nationwide debate about law enforcement’s use of lethal force, particularly in cases involving black Americans.
Scott’s loved ones and their attorneys on Wednesday also called it a watershed moment for a nationwide push in recent years to shed light on questionable uses of force by police officers. Putting him on trial in both state and federal courts for the same shooting would not be double jeopardy because the alleged crimes are different. The former officer is expected to make his first federal court appearance later Wednesday.
During a state bond hearing in early January, Savage told a judge that the “video that the state has shown the public is incomplete”.
A white former SC police officer charged with murder in the shooting death of a fleeing, unarmed black motorist now faces federal civil rights charges.
“He already has the bond, he’s under house arrest, he was forced to surrender his passport today, he’s not going to escape justice in this situation”, Scott family attorney Chris Stewart said at a press conference immediately following the arraignment.
Walter Scott in an undated photo.
“It’s a great day that the Justice Department made a decision to come on board and to give us further justice”, he said.
In October, the North Charleston City Council agreed to a $6.5 million settlement with Scott’s family.
A second video filmed by a bystander shows the pair scuffle and then Mr Scott fleeing again.
Slager is also accused of misleading law enforcement.
The civil rights aspect of the killing of Walter Scott has always been important to the Scott family, our community and our nation.
Advertisement
A hearing was scheduled for Wednesday afternoon in Charleston.
