Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
Warning: video contains graphic violence
The Post and Courier / Vimeo
A MISTRIAL HAS been declared after a jury failed to reach a verdict in the murder trial of an ex-South Carolina police officer charged over the death of a black motorist.
Circuit Judge Clifton Newman declared the mistrial after a jury said that it was unable to unanimously agree on a verdict for Michael Slager.
The judge had told jurors they could also consider a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter.
Slager was standing trial for shooting 50-year-old Walter Scott to death in North Charleston after stopping him for having a broken taillight.
A video taken by a bystander of the shooting was shown widely in the media and on the internet and sparked national and international outrage.
Race was never made a major issue at trial, even though Slager is white and Scott was black.
Jurors had deliberated more than 22 hours over four days.
Earlier today, a note from the jury asked a number of questions of the court, including why was voluntary manslaughter added as a charge and how long must someone have malice in their mind toward someone to be convicted of murder.
Jurors also asked whether the definition of self-defence for a police officer is different that for the average person.
On Friday, it appeared that the stalemate involved only one juror. But today’s note said that a majority of the jurors on the panel were undecided.
The jury was made up of 11 whites members and one black member.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say