SC - Walter Scott, 50, fatally shot by North Charleston PD officer, 4 April 2015 - #1

[CoolJ]

There were a couple of things that bothered me about this tragedy, apart from the shooting of Mr. Scott in the back as he ran. It did not surprise me that Mr. Scott ran, as he probably knew he had a bench warrant and sadly because this was not his first encounter with a white LEO that did not go too well. No stones please!

Secondly, Slager's lawyer withdrew after seeing the video. I don't know why he did, but his responses led me to believe that Slager wasn't wxactly forthcoming to his attorney. My assumption.

Thirdly, no CPR or first aid was rendered to Mr. Scott by the two officers first on scene that I can tell from the video. The other LEO that arrived a short time later, ran out of their car and began working immediately on Mr. Scott. Why didn't the first two officers render aid?

I am not saying that Mr. Scott was not culpable, but I don't believe he deserved to be shot down like a rabid dog. He was a person with a family and friends. IMO, JMV

I think some jurisdictions have rules in place that LEO are not allowed to render first aid to a victim they have shot. Not saying I agree with it. It's legal stuff. Anyone have more insight into this area?

 

[Tawny]

Actually, that isn't correct.

JMO

Which part?

 

[SStarr33]

Yea I read those too. But luckily in this case we have video of an unarmed man getting shot in the back while running away.

I asked this earlier but did not get a response. Has all of the available video been released? Also, do we know if the video released by the bystander was edited by him?

 

[al66pine]

The minute he ran, his behavior is going to be quite naturally viewed as suspect in nature. That is, he was pulled over for a minor traffic infraction, why was he running? This is esp so, from an officer's (imho, any officer's) pov. In other words, the behavior did not match the context of the situation.

bbm

Starting at traffic stop.
1. third brake light out per Slager's stmt, verifiable by viewing & listening to dashcam vid
(((not including driver's license, appears he gave something to LEO, no verification whether legit or bogus)))
2. inability to provide auto reg or insurance (apparently imo, maybe subject to debate by others) per ^ vid.
3. conflicting answers by Scott - at time of stop if he was car-owner or planning to buy Mon, per ^ vid.
4. Scott's aborted attempt to flee, by opening car door, stepping out, then followed request/order to get back in. per ^ vid.
5. Scott's exiting the car and fleeing. per ^vid
6. After Slager caught up, no vid of entire interaction/altercation w Scott & Slager.
Whatever happened resulted in Taser (whole unit? just cartridge?) being on ground.
Unless Slager tried drawing Taser, got klutzy, & dropped it, seems Scott assaulted him, swiped at Taser.
What happened?
7. Scott fled again. per cellphone vid.
8. Slager shot.

Not sure what all this ^ adds up to. But tending to disagree w ppl saying, Scott was killed for running.
Wish we had vid of that gap (what, 30-60-90 sec?), because I think what happened at point #6 is pivotal.
JM2cts.

 

[Zuri]

http://www.ehow.com/info_8606118_resisting-arrest-laws-south-carolina.html

 

[CoolJ]

I asked this earlier but did not get a response. Has all of the available video been released? Also, do we know if the video released by the bystander was edited by him?

Edited to make it look like Scott was shot in the back while running away? The part of him staging the crime scene?
If I am on a jury that's all I need to see.

 

[Zuri]

http://www.edmunds.com/car-news/2008-11-mercedes-benz-c-class-recalled-for-taillight-problem.html

I think Mr. Scott's Mercedes Benz model was much older than 2008, but they do have a history of shorting out fairly quickly. My middle brake LED light went out and they had to take the trunk apart and the seat out to get to the bulb. It was a $700.00 light bulb and fortunately covered under warranty.

 

[Tawny]

The accusations flying against the victim and an innocent bystander/witness are unbelievable. There is nothing to back up ANY of these claims of assault, tasing an officer, editing evidence... what's going on here?

 

[Tawny]

All of it. He knew he was driving under a suspended license (third offense) and that is why he was being arrested. Also he should have been tased in the vehicle instead of the officers dragging him out. jmo

Wow...

 

[CoolJ]

All of it. He knew he was driving under a suspended license (third offense) and that is why he was being arrested. Also he should have been tased in the vehicle instead of the officers dragging him out. jmo

You mean when they are holding his leg in the air and telling him to step out of the car? Or before that when they are leaning in the car telling him to step out when he knows full well if he makes a move to step out they will take that as assault and we know what happens then.
JMO

 

[CoolJ]

The accusations flying against the victim and an innocent bystander/witness are unbelievable. There is nothing to back up ANY of these claims of assault, tasing an officer, editing evidence... what's going on here?

This is what happens. Every. Single. Time.

 

[Bayou Mistress]

So now police reports are the be-all end-all truth? (I'm sorry. Just trying to keep a bead on the moving target on here.)

JMO ; )

Tasers have barbs that will penetrate up to an inch of clothing. If Slager had been tased, someone, another officer or EMS, would have had to remove the barb. There is no sign that Slager got any kind of medical attention.

 

[Tawny]

Interesting. I didn't know he was driving on a suspended license also. Still, not a death penalty offense.

As far as tasing him in the car, ummm, I don't think that is right either. Fortunately, we aren't a third world country. Yet.

Sorry for the sidebar, we were discussing another instance in which Slager tased an unarmed man who was already detained.

 

[Zuri]

Oh thank you for clarifying! I couldn't figure out what I was missing.

 

[al66pine]

I agree. I've noticed no one in the media has managed to come up with the "neighbor" who supposedly owns the Mercedes.JMO

MyBelle
Excellent point.
The license plate is there in pix.

It seems nearly everyone else on fringes stepped up for their 15 min. of fame.

Speculating w no basis in fact: if car had been stolen, and Mr Scott (perhaps unknowingly) was driving car,
seems likely the owner would surface in MSM or SM, perhaps involuntarily.

 

[CoolJ]

MyBelle
Excellent point.
The license plate is there in pix.

It seems nearly everyone else on fringes stepped up for their 15 min. of fame.

Speculating w no basis in fact: if car had been stolen, and Mr Scott (perhaps unknowingly) was driving car,
seems likely the owner would surface in MSM or SM, perhaps involuntarily.

Why would the car have been stolen. Are we just dreaming up scenarios here?

 

[Bayou Mistress]

Why would the car have been stolen. Are we just dreaming up scenarios here?

Yes! Yes! Unfortunately.

 

[Brightbird]

I don't know much, but I do know I trust LE a whole lot more than I do CNN. This stuff is absurd.

JMO

So then you trust that the decision made by the LE department - to fire Slager and not stand by him - was the right one?

 

[popsicle]

I am really curious as to what exactly happened during the scuffle. I realize I will probably have to wait for this to get to court in order to get all the facts.

 

[MzOpinion8d]

Hi Everyone,

Please refrain from the snarky and sarcastic type posts.

My patience with the snarky and sarcastic type poster is gone. Kaput. No longer visable. Vanished. Unable to view.

Thank you for understanding.

Tricia

Tricia, I was apparently in the midst of writing my sarcastic post when you posted this. I didn't intend for it to look like I posted something sarcastic in response to you asking for it to stop!! Sorry, and please remove my post if necessary.