CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) – Former North Charleston patrolman Michael Slager is taking the stand to tell his version of what happened when he fatally shot a black motorist fleeing a traffic stop last year.
Slager, who faces 30 years to life if convicted of murder in the April 2015 death of 50-year-old Walter Scott, is expected to testify in his own defense Tuesday in a Charleston courtroom.
Scott, who was black, was shot five times in the back while running from the white officer. The shooting was captured by a bystander on cellphone video.
Slager was fired from the North Charleston Police Department and charged with murder when the video became public.
Scott’s family has said Scott may have run from the scene because he was behind on child support and afraid of going back to jail.