Walter Scott Shooting: Judge Declares Mistrial

The jury of 11 whites and one black had deliberated for 22 hours over the course of four days.

“I want to thank you for your valiant effort and hard work”, Newman told the jury, which had been locked in deliberations since the middle of last week.

The mistrial announced Monday was in the state murder trial, where the jury was reportedly deadlocked because of one juror who “could not in good conscience” find Slager guilty of murder or manslaughter, a lesser offense that does not require proof of “malice aforethought”.

Slager faced a sentence of 30 years to life imprisonment if convicted of murder.

When jurors returned Monday morning they had a number of questions, including why voluntary manslaughter was added as a possible verdict and whether the definition of self-defense for a police officer is different than for the average person.

Slager’s wife, Jamie, cried after the jurors were dismissed. Savage did not comment.

Afterwards, Walter Scott’s mother, Judy Scott, told reporters: “He will get his just reward.I’m just waiting on the Lord.It’s not over until God says it’s over”.

Victim Walter Scott’s family bowed their heads in disappointment.

Scott’s death had set off protests in the area, but on Monday, his brother Anthony urged would-be protesters to remain peaceful. We need to let the nation know we’re not happy, but we’re not sad.

“My family has been destroyed by it”. His attorney also claimed Scott “made decisions to attack a police officer”. The video showed then-Officer Slager shooting after a fleeing Scott eight times and then placing a taser near his dead body. A now infamous cell phone video taken of the incident showed Scott running away when the fatal shots were fired. But because Scott didn’t have three lights illuminated Scott pulled him over.

Outside the courthouse, local pastors conducted a prayer vigil while awaiting a verdict. The cellphone video was central to the trial, and was repeatedly analyzed, frame by frame, during the proceedings, with members of Mr. Scott’s family in attendance. Prosecutors will have to retry their case and Slager attorneys will likely defend the ex-cop against murder charges for a second time. He has been free since January on a $500,000 bond.

Slager has also been indicted on federal charges, including violating civil rights laws, obstruction of justice and using a firearm while committing an act of violence.

In October, the Charleston city council agreed to settle a lawsuit by Scott’s family for $6.5 million.

The North Charleston police agency had defended Officer Slager until the footage surfaced.

A mistrial has been declared in the trial of a SC police officer charged with murder in the death of a black motorist.