When video evidence appeared showing Walter Scott being shot in the back by North Charleston, South Carolina, police officer Michael Slager, it was shocking but not surprising. This was yet another example of the tragic results of an abusive and racist law enforcement apparatus. Today, Michael Slager was sentenced to 20 years in prison for killing Scott.
U.S. District Judge David Norton made the ruling after saying he would follow sentencing guidelines to send Slager to prison for 19 to 24 years. The former officer could have faced life in prison. Norton ruled that Slager committed second-degree murder and obstruction of justice.
Mr. Scott, having been pulled over for a broken brake light, decided to flee after a seemingly uneventful interaction with officer Slager. His flight was likely the result of being behind in child support payments. Slager chased Scott into a park and after a scuffle, with Scott breaking away, Slager shot at the unarmed man. As Scott lay dying, Slager can be seen walking back to find something to plant next to Scott: the cop’s own police-issued taser. The 20-year sentence is some kind of justice for the Scott family. It is certainly a better ending than what seemed to be turning into another case of an officer getting away with murder.