Reporter Andrew Knapp attended the first pre-trial hearing today. He filed the following reports:
UPDATE: Defense argued that Walter Scott got on Slager during a struggle and pummeled him. Attorney Andy Savage said Michael Slager looks forward to clearing his name. Prosecutor Scarlett Wilson, though, said Slager became executioner and planted evidence, lying to make it look like self-defense.
UPDATE: Michael Slager bond hearing is over. No decision by the judge in impassioned, emotional three-hour hearing for Michael Slager, the former North Charleston policeman charged with murder in Walter Scott’s shooting death.
Judge: “This matter is deeply important and will be treated as such,” the judge, adding he needs time to digest the arguments. He will not rule today. (Read More)
Slager attorney said during hearing that another witness saw #WalterScott struggle at critical time, has favorable testimony.
— Andrew Knapp (@offlede) September 10, 2015
Both defense, prosecution expressed frustration with SLED over evidence gathering, viewing methods, policies in #WalterScott shooting.
— Andrew Knapp (@offlede) September 10, 2015
Slager attorney mentioned #WalterScott DNA on Taser, says SLED didn't record where on stun gun it was found, a critical piece of evidence.
— Andrew Knapp (@offlede) September 10, 2015
Defense attorney: "All I would like is SLED to say, "We screwed up'" on Taser testing. #WalterScott
— Andrew Knapp (@offlede) September 10, 2015
Defense: "We believe (#WalterScott) DNA covered the entire Taser," not just the barrel (where DNA could be expected.)"
— Andrew Knapp (@offlede) September 10, 2015
Defense: "The truth can be found by SLED telling us where that DNA came from. It's huge." #WalterScott
— Andrew Knapp (@offlede) September 10, 2015
Michael Slager bond hearing over. No decision by judge in impassioned, emotional three-hour hearing. #WalterScott
— Andrew Knapp (@offlede) September 10, 2015
Judge: "This matter is deeply important and will be treated as such." Says needs time to digest arguments. #WalterScott
— Andrew Knapp (@offlede) September 10, 2015
To repeat, judge said he would consider arguments, documents and later rule on bail. No time table. #WalterScott
— Andrew Knapp (@offlede) September 10, 2015
Defense argued that #WalterScott got on Slager during struggle, pummeled him. Attorney Savage says Slager looks forward to clearing name.
— Andrew Knapp (@offlede) September 10, 2015
Prosecutor Wilson, though, says #MichaelSlager became executioner and planted evidence, lied to make it look like self-defense. #WalterScott
— Andrew Knapp (@offlede) September 10, 2015
Judge Clifton Newman, when addressing trial scheduling, at one point said "justice delayed is justice denied." #WalterScott #MichaelSlager
— Andrew Knapp (@offlede) September 10, 2015
Defense said #MichaelSlager was just doing job according to @NCPD policy requiring 3 stops a day for minor traffic violations. #WalterScott
— Andrew Knapp (@offlede) September 10, 2015
Media outside Charleston County Judicial Center. #WalterScott #MichaelSlager pic.twitter.com/BpvLbe7IiA
— Andrew Knapp (@offlede) September 10, 2015