Judge Clifton Newman granted bail on Jan 5th, 2016 for former North Charleston police officer Michael Slager. Slager is charged with the murder of Walter Scott, an unarmed Black man whose death was captured on a cellphone video. The reason may surprise you.
Another judge actually ordered the same prosecutors to try Dylann Roof for murder in July. If the name Dylann Roof sounds familiar, it’s because Roof was the terrorist charged in the mass killing at Emanuel AME Church in July. With both trials imminent, prosecutors needed time to prepare and asked for a November trial date for Slager.
Due to the potential delays, Slager’s legal team asked the court to reconsider the decision to hold Slager without bail. The judge granted a $500,000 bail and set the trial for Oct. 31st.
Then this happened.
Incredible, right?