Michael Slager, a former South Carolina police officer, pleaded guilty to violating the civil rights of Walter Scott Tuesday. Scott was unarmed when he was shot and killed by Slager during a 2015 traffic stop. Slager now faces potential prison time, the Associated Pressreported.
The AP reported Tuesday morning they had received a copy of Slager's plea agreement, showing that state prosecutors would be dropping a pending murder charge against the officer. Though the civil rights violation carried a possible life sentence for Slager, prosecutors have reportedly agreed to give him a shorter sentence. Following the hearing, state prosecutors said that Tuesday's deal "vindicates the State's interests" in that it holds Slager accountable for the death of Scott.
"We hope that Michael's acceptance of responsibility will help the Scott family as they continue to grieve their loss," Slager's attorney, Andrew Savage, said in a statement obtained by CNN. "As a sentencing date has not yet been determined, we will refrain from further comment at this time." The Scott family is expected to speak to media about the outcome of the hearing soon.
Slager was fired after video of him shooting Scott in the back was released. North Charleston police chief Eddie Driggers said at the time he was "sickened" by the footage, which inspired protests against police brutality across the country. An autopsy later revealed that Scott had sustained multiple gunshot wounds "to the back of his body," with his death ruled a homicide by the Charleston County Coroner's Office.
