White cop Michael Slager found guilty of murder in shooting of Walter Scott; sentenced to 20 years

Justice was served yesterday as former South Carolina police officer Michael Slager was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the deadly shooting of unarmed black man Walter Scott in 2015.

U.S. District Judge David Norton ruled that Slager committed second-degree murder and obstruction of justice, when he shot and killed 50-year-old Scott in 2015. The second-degree murder ruling came with a recommended 19 to 24 year sentence.

According to reports, U.S. District Judge David Norton found the officer guilty after hearing testimonies from witnesses for both the defense and the prosecution. The prosecution argued that Slager pulled his stun gun on Scott to subdue him, but instead Scott grabbed it and turned it on the officer. Scott’s alleged actions forced Slager, who is white, to fear for his life and shoot in self-defense.

However, witness cellphone video footage that surfaced shortly after the encounter showed five shots were fired into Scott’s back as he ran away. The defense showed this footage to the court, thereby making it clear that Norton was guilty of murder.

At one point during the sentencing Scott's mother looked the former officer in the eye and told him she forgave him for killing her son. Families on both sides of the court burst into tears. One of Walter Scott's brothers, Rodney Scott, told the court that the death of his brother was the worst day of his life. Rodney Scott said he wants Slager to pay for his actions.

Slager’s father, mother, sister and wife also spoke to the judge, begging for a lighter sentence. They talked about how Slager led a life of service and how upset they were after the shooting.

Michael Slager's wife, Jamie Slager, told the judge: "He had to make a decision in a split second. I couldn’t imagine having to make a decision that fast."

Michael Slager was charged in South Carolina with murder and pleaded not guilty. In 2016, the case ended in a mistrial. The state retrial and federal trial were expected to take place this year, but instead, in May Michael Slager pleaded guilty to violating Walter Scott's civil rights in federal court, ending the federal case against him and also resolving the state charges that were pending after the mistrial.

Before hearing his sentence in federal court, Michael Slager called each family member out by name and apologized, thanking them for forgiving him. "I wish this never would have happened," he said. "I wish I could go back to the day and change the events, but I can’t."

At a news conference after the sentencing, Rodney Scott said his family is "pleased."

"We got justice," he said.

Another one of Walter Scott's brothers, Anthony Scott, thanked Feiden Santana, the witness who filmed the shooting, for being "brave" enough to film what he saw.

 

Scott's family

- LIB