Dylann Roof’s lawyers want delay after officer’s mistrial

Several jurors wiped tears from their eyes as Circuit Court Judge Clifton Newman declared a mistrial.

This case is one of the swiftest to date after a litany of officer involved shootings to receive massive press coverage.

Watching her speak after the verdict on the courthouse steps, I wondered how she managed to keep her composure and declare “it’s not over until God says it’s over”. It is a problem we all must face, or there will be far too many hung juries and far too little justice in our future. “The way that out of 12 individuals you would discover one individual so biased for police is disheartening, not stunning, in light of the fact that I realize that sort of partiality for police is out there”.

The jury of 11 whites and one black has already discussed the case for 16 hours without reaching a verdict and late Friday appeared to be deadlock before the foreman said he thought they could reach a unanimous verdict. Justice is often a journey.

After the trial concluded on Monday, prosecutors told the Scott family that they would be seeking a retrial as soon as possible.

The result drew strong reactions from politicians and public figures, some of whom were anticipating a guilty verdict from the jury.

After the mistrial was announced, attorneys for Scott’s family pointed to both of these upcoming trials as proof that Slager “may have delayed justice, but he did not escape it”. A historical perspective may help us to understand why.

“They have not received the credit they deserve in their calm leadership for the community”, she said in a statement.

Scott’s family members have shown incredible dignity from the beginning.

“Despite this setback, the NAACP will continue to advocate for a just and decisive conclusion to Slager’s case and fight for substantive, comprehensive criminal justice reform”, Brooks said.

Roof’s attorneys say if U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel goes forward, he at least needs to question the jury pool extensively about their opinions in the Slager case.

Wilson said she hoped to speak with the jurors to gain insight into the strength of their case. Slager was tried in state court, just across the street in Charleston from where Roof’s federal trial will take place. For these reasons, my office can not comment on the merits of the case. By law, the defendant remains presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty.

Accounts on Friday suggested a lone (white) person was holding the jury back from convicting Slager, but it has since been reported that, somehow, a majority of the panel may have been undecided on charges. “But somewhere along the way, the community has got to get a win”.

How sad officers like Slager tinge the reputation of police officers in general. The defense also contended there was no way the officer could tell if Scott was unarmed. It has got to happen.

“Murder is murder – unless you are a police officer”, he said.

Family lawyer Chris Stewart called the mistrial a “missed opportunity” to begin the process of racial healing in America.

The news left many people feeling hopeless.

When a mistrial is declared, it is up to the government to decide whether it wants to drop the prosecution or attempt a retrial.