GUILTY SC - Walter Scott, 50, fatally shot by North Charleston PD officer, 4 April 2015 - #2

[Woodland]

Have never read that Slager yelled something like 'stop or I'll shoot', giving Scott a chance to reconsider and stop running.

Slager had Scott's car, license and possibly other ID. Finding Scott later on was not going to be difficult.

 

[Woodland]

While we're waiting and before some of the articles disappear -

CNN 2 Dec 2016

In her closing argument, Wilson pointed to the condition of Slager's uniform shown on the widely-seen cell-phone video of the shooting, and later noted that the officer's earpiece was still attached as Scott's body laid on the ground.
"I'm not saying there wasn't a struggle. Walter Scott did not want to tased; It did not feel good," Wilson said. "But there's no evidence he was coming after that man, no evidence of that."
Wilson, referring to Slager's earpiece, added: "Now if he's in a choke hold, a head lock,a violent struggle, what's the first thing to go?"

Wilson, in her closing, said Slager never rolled Scott's body over to find the Taser because he knew where to find it.
She argued that Slager "knows that Taser is a problem for him." Wilson said the officer's "instincts" told him to get the Taser and drop it next to Scott's body.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/30/us/michael-slager-murder-trial-walter-scott/

 

[Woodland]

From the Atlantic 9 Apr 2015

... Slager had "served honorably in the military" before joining the North Charleston Police Department. Slager, 33, is a former U.S. Coast Guardsman and a five-year veteran of the North Charleston Police Department." He has never been disciplined during his time on the force," the paper pointed out, citing his then attorney DA.

In the following days, reporters uncovered that Slager had been allowed to stay on the force despite a 2013 excessive force complaint filed against him, which stemmed from an incident involving the arrest and tasing of MG, another unarmed black man.

Some have posited that without video footage, Scott's death would not have entered the national consciousness. His father, Walter Sr., said as much during an interview with Today. "It would have never come to light. They would have swept it under the rug, like they did with many others."

http://www.theatlantic.com/national...erworldly-rejection-of-michael-slager/390165/

Fwiw, there is a problem with putting officers and others that 'serve' on a pedestal - you really have no idea who you are putting on that pedestal.

It's the 'job' of serving that belongs on the pedestal imo. The 'job' has nothing to do with the individual in uniform.

 

[Woodland]

From The Post and Courier 2 Dec 2016 -

Nine hours into their verdict deliberations Thursday, jurors sent a note to a judge presiding over the trial of the former North Charleston policeman who killed Walter Scott: They asked for the difference between "fear" and "passion."

The judge didn't immediately answer, but the question made it apparent that they were torn over voluntary manslaughter, the lesser of the charges that Michael Slager now faces at the end of his month-long murder trial.

While Slager said he feared for his life when he fatally shot Scott, killing someone in the "heat of passion" is the central element of manslaughter under South Carolina law.

"This question isn't artfully worded," Circuit Judge Clifton Newman said, "but I think you get the gist of what they're pondering."

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/...cle_8b27c934-b77d-11e6-b3a5-470b037f6076.html

 

[Tawny]

Fwiw, there is a problem with putting officers and others that 'serve' on a pedestal - you really have no idea who you are putting on that pedestal.

It's the 'job' of serving that belongs on the pedestal imo. The 'job' has nothing to do with the individual in uniform.

BBM As a Veteran, (and I'm aware I don't speak for all Vets/Servicemembers), this part, I wholeheartedly agree with. It's dangerous to assume a person is a hero or even a good person simply because they wear a specific uniform. I'd say most decent individuals but there absolutely some terrible people who are also in those professions.

 

[minor4th]

From The Post and Courier 2 Dec 2016 -

Nine hours into their verdict deliberations Thursday, jurors sent a note to a judge presiding over the trial of the former North Charleston policeman who killed Walter Scott: They asked for the difference between "fear" and "passion."

The judge didn't immediately answer, but the question made it apparent that they were torn over voluntary manslaughter, the lesser of the charges that Michael Slager now faces at the end of his month-long murder trial.

While Slager said he feared for his life when he fatally shot Scott, killing someone in the "heat of passion" is the central element of manslaughter under South Carolina law.

"This question isn't artfully worded," Circuit Judge Clifton Newman said, "but I think you get the gist of what they're pondering."

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/...cle_8b27c934-b77d-11e6-b3a5-470b037f6076.html

Did the judge answer the question for the jurors? I would be surprised if he did.

 

[Jax49]

Twitter indicates activity, attorneys back in courtroom.

DO NOT know if it is a verdict.

News 19 WLTXVerified account ‏@WLTX 2m2 minutes ago
Still waiting to hear why the jury's returning in the #SlagerTrial. We'll find out soon.

 

[Jax49]

Jury tells judge "will not be able to come to come to a concensus".

 

[Jax49]

This is weird. Jury asked for testimony of a witness but a few minutes later sent note saying they are hung.

Judge asked if they still wanted to hear the testimony, sent them back to jury room to write a response.

He did not mention second note, yet.


Harve Jacobs ‏@policereporter 3m3 minutes ago
They also want court to play statement from man who took cell phone video,Feiden Santana. #chsnews #SlagerTrial

 

[Jax49]

Cathy ‏@courtchatter [video=twitter;804762005768794112]https://twitter.com/courtchatter/status/804762005768794112[/video]
#SlagerTrial -1st jurors sent a note asking to read testimony back from witness who filmed shooting then 12 mins later they say they're HUNG

 

[Jax49]

Attorneys reviewing Allen Charge.

Supposition based on note is that there may be one hold out.

The note was so confusing the judge said something about "Well, this is South Carolina".

 

[Jax49]

Jury back to deliberating after Allen Charge.

 

[minor4th]

Ugh. I hope they can reach a verdict. I'm not too hopeful though


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[Jax49]

Ugh. I hope they can reach a verdict. I'm not too hopeful though


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It is South Carolina...

 

[Woodland]

Attorneys reviewing Allen Charge.

Supposition based on note is that there may be one hold out.

The note was so confusing the judge said something about "Well, this is South Carolina".

Wow, what a roller coaster that was.

If recent history is any indication, then imo 1 in 12 people are emotionally unfit for jury duty when it comes to a uniform.

Maybe it's time to change the setup for taking a uniform to trial - since many feel that the uniform has special privileges, level the playing field somehow.

The current practice and this trial will only incite people into taking their frustrations out when/where they shouldn't. Jmo.

 

[minor4th]

Looks like jury was just sent back AGAIN after still not being able to reach decision.


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[minor4th]

Jury now returning to courtroom - according to twitter

 

[daisymae]

I'm in Charleston .... watching local news

 

[daisymae]

waiting to hear from judge

 

[minor4th]

I expect this will be the announcement of deadlock and mistrial. I hope I'm wrong.