BREAKING: Cop Who Shot Unarmed Man In the Back Indicted for Murder
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — The South Carolina police officer who shot an unarmed black man to death during a traffic stop in North Charleston has been indicted for murder.
Prosecutors announced the indictment against Michael Slager on Monday for the April 4 shooting. A date for the trial has not yet been determined.
If Slager is convicted, he could face between 30 years to life in prison. Slager will not face the death penalty because prosecutors say the circumstances surrounding the murder were not “aggravating,” a term applied to shootings that occur during other crimes like robbery or kidnapping.
A cell phone video shows Slager chasing the unarmed man, Walter Scott, into an empty lot. Slager grapples with the victim, who escapes, but is shot in the back repeatedly after several paces.
Slager, who would go on to laugh about the adrenaline rush of shooting the unarmed man, was eventually fired from the police department, and is currently behind bars without bail.
David Aylor, Slager’s former defense attorney, said Slager “felt threatened” when he shot Scott, who was unarmed, in the back. He also said that Scott tried to take Slager’s Taser when they wrestled on the ground, before Slager shot Scott in the back repeatedly. Aylor has since stated he is no longer representing Slager.
The death of Walter Scott has made national news and sparked numerous protests and demonstrations. Friends, family, and activists have called for independent investigation of the events, and for the resignation of the North Charleston mayor and police chief.
The video of the shooting can be viewed below.
Warning: This video is disturbing, viewer discretion is advised.
