FINALLY – Good Legal Advice – Officer Michael Slager did not waive his right to a speedy trial, he invoked it.
However, the Judge denied the request. Judge Clifton Newman and Lead Prosecutor, Ninth Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson, have just opened themselves up for increased scrutiny. Smartly, Officer Michael Slager, through his attorney, requested his constitutional and legal right to a speedy trial be invoked.
According to a local media report Prosecutor Scarlett Wilson filed a 10 page motion to request the defendants’ right to a speedy trial be denied. As many of you are familiar, when facing malicious and political prosecution the (almost guaranteed) tendency of the State is to delay the trial.
Prosecutor Wilson’s intent affirms the political aspect to the trial will take precedent in her approach. Judge Newman agreed with the State Prosecutor and set the trial date for October 31st 2016 – yeah, Halloween.
However, on the positive side, Judge Newman, citing the distance to trial date, granted a $500k bond which allows Michael Slager to finally leave jail. He has been incarcerated continuously since April of 2015.
Pictured Above – Walter Scott on top of Officer Slager during struggle, fighting for control of Tazer.
Outline of Shooting Events
SLED Investigator Points to Malicious Prosecution
Link to prior research on Walter Scott Shooting HERE