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Given that the cop shot him and tried to plant a taser on him, I'd say running away from the corrupt psycho was a good idea.
Speculative to be sure but no more than many judgemental posts who condemn and agree with death by multiple gunshots into back after being tased..but of course no officer cam to indicate what this COP said to him..
It's quite possible he said something that indicated clearly to Walter Scott..this rear light out issue was only an excuse to confront/threaten ..then he ran..after all those trailing electrodes could be seen flying behind Walter as he ran..SO Slager had already tased him..pulling away, dislodged the connection and actual taser got left back 35+ feet!! I wonder at what point Slager EVER lost control that Taser..obviously he was holding it..when Walter Scott took off..thus left back 35+ and had to go back and PLANT it beside the DEAD Walter Scott!
I watched a lot of this trial..and I'm sorry " Fear for my life" excuse has not just run thin..but has become a FALSE claim most of time ..because actual video show often the LIE that sworn statements. In the past was always ASSumed to be truthful. The sooner Rogue Cops get outed for their sworn LIES.. LIAR should be charged with perjury as well! Far too many GOOD Cops get painted negatively with broad brush because of the few
He was wanted for some child support warrant if I recall... The ex officer did not know this
The officer claimed the dead man stole his Taser from him...and that he was afraid he might use it on him... Which even if one accepts this premise doesn't hold water unless the person is actively fighting with you ...and from what I know he wasn't... During trial the e officer tried to claim tbey did have a fight
He also claimed he was trained to account for equipment at all times and that's why he retrieved the Taser and dropped it by the dead man..even if this could be proven
I don't buy it for a second
Hopefully they get 12 people with a conscience involved for a retrial. Nobody shoots an unarmed man running away from them, and later plants evidence who isn't guilty of murder. That person should be ashamed. Americans have this warped view that cops should be able to kill anyone.
Would they convict if the shooter was black and the victim white? Of course. Would they convict if the victim was someone they knew? Of course. What a racist or completely mentally incompetent (and still likely racist) piece of garbage who obviously lied to get past voir dire.
Anyone who wonders how this juror could hold out. Just read some of the post in here. Some people will never convict a cop. Especially if the cop is white and the perp is Black.
There is no way anyone can watch that video and think the cop was terrified for his life when he shot that man.
That's most people's reactions based on what they think they law is or should be. Unfortunately, the law isn't so clear here in this case when it comes to the use of force allowed by police officers.
As is being discussed in another thread, the common law allows for deadly force against fleeing fugitives, regardless of whether they are armed or not. But its not clear whether South Carolina abides by the traditional common law rule on this issue or whether it has adopted the US Supreme Court opinion in Tennessee vs. Garner (which held that the common law did not apply in civil case) for criminal matters. Of course, while Garner was concerned with a civil statute/liability, nothing prevents states from applying that case to criminal matters.
What complicates matters is the case Sheppard v. State, 594 S.E.2d 462, 473 (2004), where the South Carolina Supreme Court noted that:
The first sentence seems to suggest that the traditional common law understanding on the use of force allowed to police officers in apprehending a fugitive is in effect. However, the Court then clouds things further by citing to Tennessee vs. Garner, while noting that Garner imposed a stricter standard.
All in all, though, given the confusion over this opinion, I say that some sort of qualified immunity principle should shield the officer in question here (assuming you're referring to the case that I think you are) from a finding of guilt in this case. Some may not like it (hell, I don't like it), but I don't see how a fair application of the law should result in a murder conviction for the officer in the Walter Scott case (he may very well be guilty of other crimes . . . that I do believe).
Thanks for the link to the article. Very interesting read. I still wonder, however, how the case was presented by both sides, that eleven jurors came to one conclusion and this one didn't. The fact that a note was sent to the judge saying there was a problem with said juror, and to please get rid of him, is also curious.
Anyone who wonders how this juror could hold out. Just read some of the post in here. Some people will never convict a cop. Especially if the cop is white and the perp is Black.
There is no way anyone can watch that video and think the cop was terrified for his life when he shot that man.
This is simply racism at its finest.
This. 100% this.
People that think racism is a made up thing or that it doesn't impact blacks and others is crazy. The justice system is very tilted against them from the start. Some of that is 100% deserved, some not but it is certainly tilted against them.
I recognize that blacks have some serious issues to deal with in their own communities. There is plenty of finger pointing to be done there for sure. However, to pretend that there are no issues or fingers to point elsewhere is a bald face lie. There is a perversion of justice for the poor and targeted vs the rich or middle class and given the benefit of the doubt.
When this was initially reported, Scott said the guy was a threat because he tried to overtake him and tried to take his taser. The video shows him dropping it near the dead body.
In court, he said he purposely moved the taser so nobody could come along and pick it up.
The guy is a damn liar. There's evidence on video that nobody tried to overtake him or grab his taser.
And the judge just ruled it a mistrial.
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