Former South Carolina Cop Michael Slager Found Guilty of Murder In Shooting Of Walter Scott

Justice was served on Thursday after a federal judge ruled that former South Carolina police officer, Michael Slager, was guilty of second-degree murder in the 2015 shooting of an unarmed Walter Scott.

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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, who was unarmed, 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, defense rebutted with witness video footage that showed five shots were fired into Scott’s back as he ran away.

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As a result, Norton decided that Slager was guilty of second-degree murder. He also said that the officer obstructed justice when he made statements to state police after the incident. However, Thursday’s ruling was just the first portion of Slager’s federal sentencing process. Now, Norton will have to determine the officer’s sentence.

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The judge will have to hear victim impact testimony from the family and friends of both Scott and Slager to see how the entire situation has affected their lives. This process will allow the judge to determine how to weigh the defendant’s sentence. According to ABC News, Slager faces 19 to 24 years in prison.

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Back in April of 2015, Slager pulled Scott over for a normal traffic stop to address a broken brake light. During the stop, Scott attempted to flee. In turn, Slager deployed his stun gun, then pulled his handgun and fired eight shots toward Scott as he fled – five hit him in the back. Slager was charged with murder in South Carolina and pleaded not guilty. That case ended in a mistrial. The new state trial was scheduled to occur earlier this year, but Slager pleaded guilty to violating Scott’s civil rights in federal court, which according to ABC, ended the federal case and settled the state case.