What's this? This is an unbiased just-the-facts news timeline ('newsline') about Michael Slager, created by Newslines contributors. Become a contributor

Michael Slager

Michael Slager17 posts
Latest News view > Click for Biography view
8 Sep, 2015

Defense will present new evidence

Makes Statement0 Comments

Slager’s defense team says it will present evidence at Slager’s bond hearing Thur Sep 10 that includes never-before-seen stills from the cell phone video that are said to show Scott on top of Slager. Attorney’s suggest Scott may not have been completely unarmed the entire time. Slager’s defense team believes his Taser was fired six times and that both the officer and Scott were each hit twice, suggesting there was more of a struggle than prosecutors have revealed. Additionally, Scott’s DNA was on the Taser and that there was blood on Slager’s clothing and abrasions on his knee, and that he had an injured finger.

You need to go back to the incident scene and you need to see where the original stop was and you need to see where the final events took place…Maybe he was found without any weapon on him at the time that he died…Time will tell and I think that you will be able to judge his actions not by just what he said but what the independent evidence is.

9 Apr, 2015

Will file civil suit

Makes Statement0 Comments

The Scott family says Thursday it is preparing to file a civil suit against Slager and his department. State Rep. Bamberg, who is representing the family as a lawyer:

We will seek every penny of compensation that the family deserves. People in society are fed up with people getting away with things like this, fed up with law enforcement abusing the power that they have…There are still a lot of questions about what transpired especially concerning the other officers.

Family tells Sharpton to stay away

Makes Statement0 Comments

A source close the Scott family says they do not want the same kind of media attention that surrounded the death of Michael Brown:

We don’t want another Ferguson type of circus here.

Scott family attorney says said they appreciate Sharpton’s support but “the funeral is only going to be close family members.”

The Reverend Al has called and expressed his support and condolences. The family is very appreciative.

Sharpton says he has been in touch with the Scott family and their lawyers but insists he has no plans to go down.

They are in mourning and we would never come unless they asked. We’re willing to be helpful to the family but only when needed.

5 Apr, 2015

Family: All we want is the truth

Makes Statement0 Comments

Scott’s family gather Sunday in the lot where the shooting took place, with community activists for a press conference calling for community calm and law enforcement transparency during the investigative process. Pastor Thomas Ravenell places a candle where Walter Scott was shot and killed by Slager (whose name has not been released at this point). Anthony Scott, the victim’s brother:

We just would like for justice to be taken, for justice to be served, and we would like for the truth to come out so my brother can rest in peace. Whatever happened yesterday, that’s all we want is the truth, and we will go to any length to get it.

The president of the local chapter of the Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network, says:

We know that Mr. Scott was unarmed, that worries me and everyone in this community, that another unarmed black man has died — that is very troubling. I want the family and community to know that National Action Network will not stop until we get these answers.

4 Apr, 2015

Initial police report

Makes Statement0 Comments

A report of the incident appears in the Post & Courier:

Police in a matter of hours declared the occurrence at the corner of Remount and Craig roads a traffic stop gone wrong, alleging the dead man fought with an officer over his Taser before deadly force was employed.

A statement released by North Charleston police spokesman Spencer Pryor said a man ran on foot from the traffic stop and an officer deployed his department-issued Taser in an attempt to stop him. That did not work, police said, and an altercation ensued as the men struggled over the device. Police allege that during the struggle the man gained control of the Taser and attempted to use it against the officer. The officer then resorted to his service weapon and shot him, police alleged.