Mistrial. Walter Scott shooting

[mainstreetonce]

Source: MSNBC

Mistrial in Scott shooting.

No justice

Read more: Link to source

[RandySF]

1. Fitting way to end this year, I guess.

[Glimmer of Hope]

2. What the hell.

[Hoyt]

3. I think it was only one white guy out of 11 who just couldn't see

finding a policeman guilty for shooting a fleeing unarmed man in the back at a distance. It's South Carolina, so you might get 5 who just can't convict the policeman next time. Christ, this is BS.

[COLGATE4]

34. The family's attorney was on Rachel tonight

and his opinion (subject to talking with the juror) is that the juror in question believed that one of the elements necessary for a conviction of Voluntary Manslaughter was not met. Lousy result but that's the jury system.

[sharp_stick]

4. I'm sure they'll retry this one

All because of one fucking juror.

[elleng]

5. link

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/05/us/walter-scott-michael-slager-north-charleston.html?

[Ligyron]

6. Unbelievable.

What human being can look at that video and not see a murder being committed?

Shot in the back multiple times?

TRY HIM AGAIN!

[wryter2000]

7. Can he be retried?

If there were ever a clear case this is it. Damn.

[Quackers]

11. Yes. Since a verdict wasn't reached, double jeopardy does not apply. nt

[Recursion]

14. Yes.

Here's hoping.

[COLGATE4]

35. The State has already said they'll retry him. nt

[Dopers_Greed]

8. So cops are really about the law

In this case, they even had a video of him shooting a fleeing person in the back, and still couldn't get a guilty verdict.

Disgusting.

[mountain grammy]

9. I'm actually surprised there were 11 for guilty.

I thought it'd be an outright acquittal. No justice. Put on a uniform, you can kill whoever you want.

[Generator]

20. Exactamundo

At least on DU you can say the truth and don't have to worship cops.

[mountain grammy]

25. I think a lot of cops are decent human beings

and a lot of cops aren't. The problem is complete lack of accountability, and too much power.

[Generator]

26. Of course and also the worship

of power. I fear power and I know I need it sometimes. But of course someone has to defend the cops. There are SO many people defending cops. Trump LOVES the cops. Republicons LOVE the cops. I might need the cops. But I don't love people that have life or death over me.

[mountain grammy]

30. Exactly!

It's a job. More often than not, the training is pathetic and employment screening even worse. It doesn't have to be like this, and shouldn't. There are good police forces in America, but, far too few. I think treating people like they're extraordinary heroes all the time is bad for the psyche. Certainly there is danger and risk to being a cop, but it's not the most dangerous job. That would be loggers.

[geek tragedy]

10. one white supremacist and eleven decent human beingsmistrial nt

[barbtries]

12. shoot a man in the back

while he's running away from you and there's 1 fuck on that jury who refused to convict.

[etherealtruth]

21. But, but, but, but, but ... that @$$-hole said he was afraid

... he was afraid Walter Scott would stop running away and turn and charge him .... WTF?

"On the stand, Slager argued self-defense, telling jurors he shot Scott as he ran away because he posed a threat and could have turned around and charged him."

Who in their effing right mind would find this plausible?

[barbtries]

24. that was his defense?

okay i just read Rogue Lawyer by Grisham and i wanna bet the holdout was bribed

[Kingofalldems]

13. Federal trial next month.

Welcome to Trumpland.

[mainstreetonce]

15. Does the federal trial require proof of a hate crime?

.?

[Kingofalldems]

17. I honestly don't know.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

32. Denial of civil rights under color of law. Plus use of a weapon during said crime.

Wasn't there just a case where a weapons charge was tossed because it supposedly didn't make sense to charge a cop with use of a weapon when their job required use of a weapon?

Either way, I have more faith in the Feds on these cases.

[Devil Child]

16. Disgusting

Police have now learned, as if they didn't already know, that they are free to murder without repercussion. I stupidly thought to myself that this one will result in conviction. That there was no way this cop could possibly walk. When does it end?

[NutmegYankee]

18. Authoritarian veto.

So few white officers are convicted because it only takes one right-wing authoritarian to cause a mistrial.

[Generator]

19. As usual cops lives matter more than anybody elses

Especially people of color. OH and everyone hates me for saying the truth. Why do their lives matter MORE? WHY? If they don't want the physical risk-pick another goddamn job.

[Indydem]

33. I shouldn't have to explain this.

Police are chosen by society to be the first line of defense in upholding an enforcing our laws. Therefore, as a symbol, they themselves are a reprentation of society's desire for order. As a symbol, their life is more important than that of a criminal, who stands as a symbol of chaos.

On a more practical note, we spends tens, even hundreds of thousands of dollars, training and equipping these officers.

"Why do their lives matter MORE?" Because they do. As a symbol, and a practical matter.

[LanternWaste]

36. It's a cool rationalization...

It's a cool rationalization, but you provide zero objective evidence to support your allegation.

[Generator]

37. Disagree

I know the explanation and I disagree. Their lives do not matter more. But I know all cops and cop lovers think they do. You just assumed the person they are involved with is a "criminal." Most if not all of these people they murdered were innocent blacks or mentally unbalanced (they did that a lot a few years ago in Portland-homeless crazy people with knives-they had to die because as you say-their lives weren't worth very much) they weren't criminals and their live mattered just as much as the cop that killed them. Sorry I do not agree with you at all. Again-if they aren't willing to take the chance of being killed as part of the job-get a different job.

[Cryptoad]

22. we are now a country that counsist of Majority of Bigots and Hate Mongers

no jury will ever convict a white cop of shooting an unarmed black man even if it is on video. we are so fucked

[Paladin]

23. If that cop had put 5 bullets into the back of a fleeing WHITE man.....

how many of you think there would have been a mistrial?

I hope there is a quick re-trial, where that cop gets the punishment he so obviously deserves.

[OneBlueDotBama]

27. It's Not Over...

Plus there are pending Federal Civil Rights Charges, waiting for Mr. Slager.

Prosecutors plan to retry Michael Slager case

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) – Prosecutors say they intend to retry a fired South Carolina police officer whose murder trial ended in a mistrial on Monday when jurors could not reach a verdict.

Solicitor Scarlett Wilson said Monday that she will retry the case against 35-year-old Michael Slager, who was being prosecuted in the death of an unarmed, black motorist Walter Scott. Jurors were also considering a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter.

Slager also faces a trial in federal court next year on charges of depriving Scott of his civil rights.

Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg and other community leaders urged calm as the trial began six weeks ago. Tecklenburg says he and many in the community are disappointed but that Slager will again be in court.

http://counton2.com/2016/12/05/prosecutors-plan-to-retry-michael-slager-case/

[davidn3600]

28. This is a mistrial, not an aquittal. The prosecution can try again.

The federal government is also bringing a different case.

So this isn't near being over.

[democrank]

29. Unarmed and shot in the back.

Makes me sick.

[JI7]

31. that one juror was never going to convict a white person who kills a black person

no matter how much evidence.

some white people just think killing minorities should not be something white people should be punished too harshly for.