Former cop Michael Slager indicted by grand jury in death of Walter Scott

Slager faces the possibility of life in prison if he is convicted

Michael Slager, the former South Carolina police officer, has been charged with murder in the shooting death of Walter Scott, an unarmed black man who was shot while running away from the officer.

A video taken on 4 April showing Mr Slager firing his pistol eight times toward the back of Mr Scott, who was seen retreating. Mr Slager was charged with murder on 7 April, but the grand jury indictment was not handed down until Monday.

If convicted, Mr Slager faces 30 years to life in prison. The prosecutor, Scarlett Wilson, will not seek the death penalty in this case, according to the New York Times.

The deadly incident began when the former officer pulled over Mr Scott for driving with a broken taillight in North Charleston, South Carolina. During what appeared to be a typical traffic stop, Mr Scott fled. His family believes he ran because he feared being arrested for an outstanding charge for not paying child support.

Mr Slager chased the 50-year-old man and the two ended up in a vacant lot, where a bystander happened to start recording the encounter. The ex-officer claims that Mr Scott reached for his Taser during a brief scuffle, prompting the officer to shoot.

The shooting of Mr Scott reignited the debate of policing and race relations in the US, a wound that continues to fester.

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