Incidentally, I know the location where this happened intimately; it’s mere yards from the perimeter of Charleston Air Force Base. I was stationed there for 4 years, from 1982-86, and would pass this very intersection on my way to and from my girlfriend’s house and visiting the commercial strip on Rivers Avenue. Even used to buy gas at that corner.
Another interesting coincidence is that both Scott and Slager served in the Coast Guard.
I beleive you only get one shot with that type of taser, once it’s been deployed, it’s just a hunk of plastic. If that is true, then the officer would have known that.
If a taser doesn’t take you down it generally means you are flying high on PCP’s or something.
I have not seen the video no read any other stories about this case. However, based on what I read in your post, if I was on the jury I’d acquit of all charges.
Sometimes watching a police video is like watching sausage being made: It’s ugly to watch, but you like the results.
Of course, I also believe that police should be allowed to shoot at people running away that refuse to stop.
No jury in this country is going to believe that your life is in immediate danger (esp a police officer holding a gun) when the perp is running away in the other direction unarmed!
You present some good arguments for the defense, but I full well believe, in light of the LIV reaction to Furgeson and NY, that the jury will bow to public pressure and this officer will fry.
Well thought-out, well-written. Thanks for the post.
And THAT’s how you stir up rioting~!
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This is just some cops wishful thinking.
There is no manslaughter element to any of this.
The cop knew that his sidearm would be deadly if fired at the victim’s upper torso, thus he deliberately took deadly action for a decidedly non deadly threat.
This is a very clear second degree murder case.
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I don’t care if Scott is violent or not. We don’t shoot people eight times in the back as they run away in America. You can say he was a child raping mother raping Nazi. But we still don’t shoot them eight times in the back while running away. This cop should go to jail and NEVER COME OUT. His authority complex got way out of control.
I don't believe this statement is true. He has a single conviction of "possession of a bludgeon." That charge is almost 25 years old, and as some legal scholars argue, bogus: knives and bludgeons are protected under the Heller definition of RKBA [I agree.]
A prior accusation of assault and battery [almost 30 years ago] that amounted to nothing is not part of his "criminal history."
Too bad, Scott will never get to make that child support payment. Let’s ask the daughter if she is better off now.
Everyone needs to remember that if this video was exactly the same, except that the policer officer was replaced by a citizen who had been mugged by the shooting victim, that the civilian shooter would be convicted of murder one, period, end of discussion. And sued until he was destroyed financially. And have every single one of his defense explanations of motives, fears, worries, protection, passesby, possibilities and understandings thrown right out the courtroom window into the dumpster as they hauled him out of court in chains.
That’s the truth - and you know it.
The wires are still in the man and extend as he runs away from the cop.
That doesn’t happen if the man has the taser in his hand.
After checking the man, the cop goes back, picks up the taser and drops it next to the man.
http://www.wsbradio.com/news/news/national/shocking-video-shows-sc-cop-fatally-shooting-black/nkpYH/
Hope the skunk burns, feel sorry for his pregnant wife.
I will give your scenario a one in a million chance of actually happening; and that is generous on my part.
What a silly fantasy.
here we go again..
but this is my last time..
the cop shot a dude in the back 7 times..
he was unarmed...
cops have a license to kill at will and get away with it..
not because of the law, but because of the command structure that allows this to continue..
the command structure is comprised mostly of civilian appointees..
but the inevitable conclusion is, if the command structure allows this, the cops are for it..
with this in mind i make the following conclusions..
cops can kill at will..
they will not be prosecuted..
no matter the evidence..
therefore, if i am confronted by a cop, i will treat them as an adversary, and if threatening moves are made, i will defend myself..
if i kill a cop, i may go to prison..
if i do not defend myself, i will be dead..
what choice would you make???
In manslaughter the perpetrator does not intend to kill but the death results from his actions. Firing 8 shots at someone certainly qualifies as intending to kill. This is a case of second degree murder.
Why was this officer trying to cuff a suspect on a bench warrant, by himself? If he knew he was taking someone in, why didn’t he call for assistance? I wonder if there is a LOT more to this story.
” I now also believe Slager’s defense will include him insisting that he mistakenly believed Scott had the taser in his hands when he took off.”
Based on the video I thought the same thing, the cop didn’t see it land at his feet and behind him. HOWEVER, once he cuffs the deceased guy he does not look around on the ground near the body for the taser in the grass or scratches his head wondering where the heck the thing went. He cuffs the guy and gets up quickly, turns and runs back to where the taser was. He knew it was back there.
And in Washington State one can shoot a fleeing felon (if the guy had assaulted the cop during the arrest). But the dropping of the taser and the deceit by the cop - I would give him 20 years for that, even if it is ruled to be a justifiable homicide.