SC

Cop Who Shot Walter Scott Gets Bail

BLACK JUDGE RELEASES WHITE MURDER SUSPECT …  Michael Slager is out of jail … The white ex-North Charleston, S.C. police officer – who sparked a national uproar when he shot fleeing black suspect Walter Scott nine months ago – was released this week on a $500,000 bond. News of Slager’s…

BLACK JUDGE RELEASES WHITE MURDER SUSPECT … 

Michael Slager is out of jail …

The white ex-North Charleston, S.C. police officer – who sparked a national uproar when he shot fleeing black suspect Walter Scott nine months ago – was released this week on a $500,000 bond.

News of Slager’s release was first reported by CNN.

The judge who granted it?  Clifton Newman, a circuit court judge from Kingstree, S.C.  For those of you keeping score at home, Newman is black (a fact CNN conveniently neglected to mention).

Slager shot and killed Scott in April following a routine traffic stop.  Scott fled from Slager because he feared being arrested for not paying his child support.  The shooting likely would have never made headlines had the incident not been captured by an amateur videographer.

Prior to the release of the amateur video, North Charleston police claimed Scott was gunned down by Slager because he posed a legitimate threat to the officer’s safety – having engaged in a scuffle with Slager which resulted in Scott obtaining the officer’s taser weapon.  Police also said Scott was fatally shot following a “foot pursuit” and that officers attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in an attempt to revive him.

The video debunked most – if not all – of those claims.

It clearly depicted Slager shooting Scott multiple times in the back, which we described as “the unnecessary use of deadly force against a suspect.”

“Rather than attempting to provide medical assistance to Scott in the aftermath of the shooting, Slager handcuffed his victim and then stood off at a distance waiting for his backup to arrive,” we added.  “The handcuffing may have been protocol in the aftermath of a shooting, but officers are taught to treat wounds.”

More to the point, officers are taught not to shoot at fleeing suspects unless they are armed or sought in connection with violent crimes.

Slager was terminated from his position and charged with murder just days after the video was released – and was originally denied bail by Newman, who described him as a flight risk and a danger to the community.

So why would the same judge release him months after the fact?

According to Newman, a recent order by the S.C. Supreme Court enabling prosecutors to delay action on other cases in anticipation of this summer’s big case involving confessed “Holy City Massacre” perpetrator Dylann Storm Roof.

Roof, a 21-year-old white supremacist, gunned down nine black parishioners at a church in downtown Charleston, S.C. last June.  His trial is scheduled to begin on July 11.

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90 comments

Jan January 4, 2016 at 6:50 pm

North Charleston is a corrupt city, Croneyism at its worse.

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Squishy123 January 4, 2016 at 7:00 pm

And to think if the guy had just stayed in his car he would have likely had a Christmas above ground.

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CorruptionInColumbia January 4, 2016 at 7:37 pm

He shoulda’ listened to these guys!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BxAVpuakkCQ

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shifty henry January 4, 2016 at 8:02 pm

…. although Denny was pulled from his truck.

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Rocky Verdunce January 4, 2016 at 8:08 pm

Shifty I have never seen a white person in Kingstree. Good for the judge.

Rocky Verdad January 4, 2016 at 9:16 pm

At least not since you moved from there.

Rocky Verdunce January 4, 2016 at 9:27 pm

Fuck you.Go fuck that nasty spic you married.

shifty henry January 4, 2016 at 9:48 pm

Since nobody is guessing how many Mexicans it takes to change a light bulb, I’ll have to give you the answer —
just Juan

Rocky Verdunce January 4, 2016 at 9:52 pm

How come my posts never hit the ‘Also On FitsNews’ section below?

CorruptionInColumbia January 4, 2016 at 10:01 pm

Gotta be incarnated more than a week, probably.

Rocky Verdunce January 4, 2016 at 10:19 pm

“The Donald” Hits The Airwaves

210 comments

13 hours ago

pogo’s retarded son — Countdown to deletion of disqus account #2354 5 4 3

THIS really hurts my feelings. :)

Rocky Verdad January 4, 2016 at 9:18 pm

Hurray, Shifty is here. Happy New Year!!!

shifty henry January 4, 2016 at 9:47 pm

Thanks … and best wishes to all for 2016

The Colonel (R) January 4, 2016 at 9:15 pm

I loved In Living Color, funny as Hell, not PC and taken right off the street.

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Rocky Verdad January 4, 2016 at 9:17 pm

Yes sir, that was a great show. Isn’t that where Jennifer Lopez got her start as one of the dancers. Oh, and the Man Show was good early on.

The Colonel (R) January 4, 2016 at 9:20 pm

Lopez, Jim Carrey, the Wayans, Jamie Foxx…

Rocky Verdad January 4, 2016 at 9:22 pm

I recall watching it in our little apartment in Charleston, then leaving to Columbia where I rented a room in a townhouse for my grad school classes. Always made for a good mood before getting on 26.

shifty henry January 4, 2016 at 9:45 pm

Bill the fireman was my favorite…

CorruptionInColumbia January 4, 2016 at 9:59 pm

The sad thing Shifty, I have known some guys with the “Fire Marshal” title that reminded me of him.

shifty henry January 4, 2016 at 10:57 pm

How about more than a few guys in volunteer units who thought it was necessary to personally set fires? There are probably some in every state. I learned to respect fire in Navy boot camp during our fire-fighting classes. Especially when they put my 100 lb ass third guy from the nozzle. When they turned on the water pressure it took my feet off the ground and it was all I could do to hold on! My brother-in-law, a Chief Petty Officer (Aviation) helped fight the fire disaster on the aircraft carrier (don’t remember the ship’s name or the date). He told me later how horrible and gruesome the entire incident was.

The Colonel (R) January 6, 2016 at 9:02 am

The one McCain was involved in was one the USS Forrestal (he didn’t cause it, he was just there) in 1967 off Vietnam. In ’69, the Enterprise caught fire off Hawaii in ’81, the Nimitz caught fire after another accident with munitions off the coast of Florida.

They don’t call a carrier flight deck the most dangerous five acres in the world without good reason.

shifty henry January 6, 2016 at 10:14 am

Thanks, it was the Forrestal in 1967. My brother-in-law was not a crew member but came to assist fighting the fire. He was, on a tour prior to the Forrestal, McCain’s crew chief on another carrier. McCain remembered him when he returned home and took him and my sister out to dinner.

Fecal Matters January 5, 2016 at 12:41 pm

Former Fire Marshall Fat Rat being one of them?

CorruptionInColumbia January 5, 2016 at 5:04 pm

Which one is that?

Mike at the Beach January 4, 2016 at 11:52 pm

Fire Marshal Bill! Lemme tell ya somethin’, kiddies! Heheheheheheheh…

CorruptionInColumbia January 4, 2016 at 9:58 pm

I miss that show.

The Colonel (R) January 4, 2016 at 10:02 pm

8:00 and 8:30 am on FXX (I found it during the Christmas break)

Zero Tolerance January 4, 2016 at 8:33 pm

These white thugs are out of control. Slager, Roof, Richard Dear Jr, the terrorists in Oregon….time to start montoring websites like this and the radicalized commenters who frequent them.

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lets see what he says January 4, 2016 at 9:26 pm

what about the black thugs that shot and killed the north texas girl. she was white and doing nothing wrong. zero tolerance for them too right? What about the black thugs that beat up the kid in 5 points and left him to die because he dared to jog at night? hell they got off, this cop got a bail amount. he hasn’t been found not guilty yet. You mean they are all thugs right, or just the white ones? if its just the white ones you are racist.

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Kill All Thugs January 5, 2016 at 9:21 am

I’m all for getting rid of thugs on both sides. I’m willing to call them out on both sides too though.

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#Nolivesmatter January 4, 2016 at 9:04 pm

Let’s throw him a “got out of jail” party and hail him as a hero for bravery in performing his duty.

This should be a lesson to all criminals that no matter how insignificant your crime, if you run from police much of society will cheer a cop shooting you in the back. You shouldn’t have run, it’s that simple.

Selling weed in a parking lot and try running away? You’ll get shot and much of society will applaud it.

Try to shoot your cow without police permission to end its suffering? You’ll get shot and much of society will applaud it.

Even if it’s a measly parking ticket, your life is worth very little to those that enforce the law.

The most important thing is that all citizens obey authority. If you don’t, you get what you deserve in the eyes of much of society.

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The Colonel (R) January 4, 2016 at 9:19 pm

What a load of bovine excreta! Scott’s case is fairly cut and dried, there is very good video evidence and the facts are fairly well established.

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Squishy123 January 4, 2016 at 10:43 pm

And you’ve seen the video from beginning to end? Or just the end?

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The Colonel (R) January 4, 2016 at 10:54 pm

I believe I’ve seen the entire “stander by” video: http://www.nytimes.com/video/us/100000003615939/video-shows-fatal-police-shooting.html

And the dash camera (which only shows the initial instruction, not the shooting): http://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2015/04/09/tsr-dash-cam-walter-scott-police-shooting.cnn

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Squishy123 January 5, 2016 at 9:11 am

Well I’m still defending the cop. Us racists have to stick together.

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TroubleBaby January 5, 2016 at 9:12 am

lulz….I know you’re not Squishy, but that’s damn funny.

Squishy123 January 5, 2016 at 9:40 am

Good for you.

Speak D Truth January 4, 2016 at 9:33 pm

We live in a country where everyone is entitled to a bond unless it can be shown that they would pose a threat to society if they are released or would be a flight risk. Slager couldn’t afford to go to Texas if it cost a quarter to go around the world. As despicable as his crime was there is no indication that he would pose a threat to society if he were to be released on bond. He will get plenty of jail time once he is convicted.

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Uh huh January 4, 2016 at 9:43 pm

“there is no indication that he would pose a threat to society if he were to be released on bond”

He slowly pulled out a gun and shot a man in the back six times while the man was running away from him, then let him bleed out…he’s a murderer.

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Squishy123 January 4, 2016 at 10:43 pm

So do you know for a fact that Mr. Deadguy didn’t attack him and go for his gun or taser during the struggle? If you’re like everyone else you’ve only seen the last few seconds of the video and not the entire video.

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Bible Thumper January 5, 2016 at 12:30 am

I saw the bystanders phone video. The man ran away and the cop shot him in the back as he was running, if he offered medical attention, it was long after being shot. He appeared to drop something beside the victim. I could have been a taser. If the victim attacked the cop, the attack was over by then.

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Squishy123 January 5, 2016 at 9:39 am

Did you see all of the video or just the part the media keeps replaying. The person who took the video filmed and in a deposition described the two on the ground fighting. Which is where the officer stated the dead guy went for his taser.

Squishy Gray Matter January 5, 2016 at 9:16 am

I do know one thing, it is incredibly difficult to grab an officer’s gun or taser while you are running away from them.

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Squishy123 January 5, 2016 at 9:38 am

How about the period before he ran… you know when the two were fighting? People who hold up the race card tend to forget about that short period.

Short Term Intelligence Loss January 5, 2016 at 4:15 pm

People tend to forget that part because the officer didn’t pull out his gun and shoot the man until he was a good ten feet away running like hell, at which point the officer wasn’t in any danger.

Squishy123 January 5, 2016 at 9:35 pm

I think he meant to wing him and deadguy zigged when he should have zagged. No big deal, the world is not a worse place because of a criminal getting tagged.

Speak D Truth January 4, 2016 at 11:49 pm

He has no prior criminal history and there was no premeditation. Malice aforethought will be difficult to prove. He wrongfully and needlessly took a life but he will probably be convicted of a lesser degree of illegal homicide than murder.

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TroubleBaby January 5, 2016 at 9:11 am

Premeditation is a subjective thing, he sure took his time in pulling out his weapon and squeezing off rounds into his back.

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Speak D Truth January 5, 2016 at 9:16 am

I am not agreeing with what he did, I am just saying that “malice aforethought” may be difficult to prove. He is more likely to get convicted for manslaughter.

TroubleBaby January 5, 2016 at 9:23 am

Ok, but the judge has discretion at this point- and it seems to me that his judgement is highly questionable at this point.

Ask yourself this, would any normal citizen(not a cop), get the same treatment under the same circumstances? I highly doubt it.

Justus System January 5, 2016 at 9:27 am

Does this normal citizen have a lot of money? Are they related to a politician? These are important “mitigating factors” to consider.

TroubleBaby January 5, 2016 at 10:21 am

Good point- but that doesn’t change the issue of “right” vs. “wrong”.

Speak D Truth January 5, 2016 at 10:08 am

The judge has no discretion in a jury trial to direct the findings of the jury. They jury will hear the evidence and assign what weight they see fit. He could direct a “Not Guilty” verdict prior to the case going to the jury if he feels that the State has not “Proven it’s case in a light most favorable to the State.”
Our justice system is based on the premise that we would rather see a guilty man go free then an innocent man go to prison.

TroubleBaby January 5, 2016 at 10:20 am

“The judge has no discretion in a jury trial to direct the findings of the jury.”

I’m not saying he does, this is a bail hearing, not a trial.

An Actual Lawyer January 5, 2016 at 8:15 pm

Again, you are talking out of your ass. The judge instructs the jury on the law and the evidence in the case. The jury is bound by the jury instructions given to them by the judge. The jury weighs the evidence and decides whether the prosecution has proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

At the close of the prosecution’s case in chief, the defense as a matter of course, usually request that the judge dismiss the case due to the fact that the prosecution has not met its burden in proving the elements of the crime and that the defendant in fact committed the crime as a matter of law. If the motion is successful, the case case is dismissed (judge does not declare the defendant not guilty as you erroneously state).

Speak D Truth January 5, 2016 at 8:27 pm

A dismissal would have the same effect as a declaration of not guilty and jeopardy would be attached.

This is the definition of murder in SC:

SECTION 16-3-10. “Murder” defined.

“Murder” is the killing of any person with malice aforethought, either express or implied.
Life in Prison (until death)

This is the definition of manslaughter in SC:

SECTION 16-3-50. Manslaughter.

A person convicted of manslaughter, or the unlawful killing of another without malice, express or implied, must be imprisoned not more than thirty years or less than two years.

Involuntary Manslaughter

SECTION 16-3-60. Involuntary manslaughter; “criminal negligence” defined.

With regard to the crime of involuntary manslaughter, criminal negligence is defined as the reckless disregard of the safety of others. A person charged with the crime of involuntary manslaughter may be convicted only upon a showing of criminal negligence as defined in this section. A person convicted of involuntary manslaughter must be imprisoned not more than five years.
My guess would be a manslaughter conviction and a maximum 30 year sentence.

An Actual Lawyer January 5, 2016 at 8:36 pm

Again, you are missing the point……the jury will not be given the manslaughter change. Slager has been charged with 1st degree murder and 2nd degree murder will be the lesser included charge. The only way manslaughter comes into play is through a plea bargain.

Going to some site and pasting statutes without any legal training or experience is useless and doesn’t make you a legal scholar. Stick to sitting before your computer and watching Law and Order all day.

Speak D Truth January 5, 2016 at 8:38 pm

What is the SC Statute for 2nd Degree and first degree murder?

A Actual Lawyer January 5, 2016 at 8:04 pm

Not with video evidence available. Slager intended to kill Scott (6 shots in the back); intended to cause bodily injury and did so with depraved indifference. Slager’s actions as depicted on the video ( including hand cuffing Scott without attempting to render any type of aid) clearly supports a 1st or 2nd degree murder charge. The jury will most likely not be given the option of manslaughter. Short of total nullification by the jury, the prosecution would have to be absolute incompetants not to get a murder conviction.

Speak D Truth January 5, 2016 at 8:08 pm

There will be mitigating circumstances introduced. There idiots out there that believe that Scott got what he deserved for running from and fighting the cops. I do not believe that was the case but the government will have a hard time proving malice aforethought.

An Actual Lawyer January 5, 2016 at 8:18 pm

What “mitigating circumstances” are you referring to, counselor?

Speak D Truth January 5, 2016 at 8:29 pm

Just follow the trial and you will see them. I predict a manslaughter conviction.

An Actual Lawyer January 5, 2016 at 8:44 pm

I should have known. You post a comment stating with absolute certainty that “mitigating circumstances” will be presented during the trial to support your opinion that Slager will convicted of manslaughter and when pressed as to state what the mitigating circumstances are, you are unable to produce anything.

As I said earlier, you are talking out of your ass, you silly troll. I will not waste anymore time on your inane stupidity.

Speak D Truth January 5, 2016 at 8:50 pm

The entire purpose of the defense is to present mitigating circumstances in an effort to create reasonable doubt. If there are no mitigating circumstances then there will be a successful appeal for ineffective counsel.
Again, What are the SC Statutes for 1st degree murder and 2nd degree murder?

Speak D Truth January 5, 2016 at 8:30 pm

What is the SC Statute for 2nd degree murder?

How Dumb Can You Be? January 5, 2016 at 9:13 am

“He has no prior criminal history”

A lot of murderers don’t have prior criminal history. As they say, there is a first time for everything, even getting caught.

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Speak D Truth January 5, 2016 at 9:21 am

The fact that you use a user name to insult someone shows your low intellect and inability to reasonably debate an issue. What this guy did was inexcusable but the ability of the government to prove ” malice aforethought” is questionable. There will also be mitigating factors that may cause some jurors to blame Walter Scott for setting in to motion the events that cost him his life. Some jurors will want to acquit the officer of murder. Some will want to convict him. They will settle on manslaughter. The judge will max out his time.

Your Mom Is Fat January 5, 2016 at 9:23 am

It doesn’t matter what the mitigating factors are, shooting someone who is running away from you in the back is an act of cowardice carried out in malice. I’m sure his lawyer will gussy it up as much as possible but even in the wild west there was no respect for someone like him.

Speak D Truth January 5, 2016 at 8:36 pm

I do not think that the government can prove “malice aforethought” and get a lifetime sentence. I do believe that they can get a manslaughter conviction and get a 30 year sentence.

An Actual Lawyer January 5, 2016 at 7:52 pm

You are an absolute jackass who watches too much Law and Order.
For the record, the criminal act element required for murder is conduct that causes the victims death. The criminal intent element is important as it distinguishes murder from manslaughter.The 3 types of malice aforethought are 1. intent to kill; 2. intent to cause serious bodily injury; 3. Depraved heart.

In this case, solid evidence exits to prosecute and convict Slager of first or second degree murder. Alternatively, a plea bargain (manslaughter – 1st degree) is not out of the realm of possibility especially if the length of the sentence is acceptable to all parties).

Finally, its is well established case law that the decision to grant or deny bail shall not be punitive or based on race, religion, etc. In the instant matter, it appears that an Order from SC Supreme Court permitting prosecutors to delay cases in anticipation of the Roof trial. Under the circumstances, the granting of bail seems reasonable as Slager faced the possibility of sitting in jail for the foreseeable future until such time as his trial is scheduled and actually commenses.Had Judge Newman denied bail, the defense would have appealed his decision and the appellate court would most certainly overturn the decision and ordered that bail be granted.

Speak D Truth January 5, 2016 at 8:31 pm

I have never watched an episode of Law and Order- You dumb ass

Slartibartfast January 4, 2016 at 11:42 pm

“Miss Maudie: What is it, Addicus?
Finch: Tom Robinson is dead… Shot while trying to escape… They said he just ran like a crazy man…”

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Manray9 January 5, 2016 at 12:03 am

The race of the judge is relevant in what manner?

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Bible Thumper January 5, 2016 at 12:12 am

Usually, Fits brings race in when it doesn’t matter, but here I agree. If “Black Lives Matter” is claiming, that a black victim can’t get justice, then it helps to know that blacks are part of the justice system.

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Manray9 January 5, 2016 at 12:31 am

I don’t recall any comments made by anyone against the judges or the legal process in this case? The officer was arrested and charged.

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Bible Thumper January 5, 2016 at 12:34 am

I’m sure some are complaining about the cop being offered bail just like comments in this thread. My guess is that murder charges will fail and that are going to have to reduce charges to manslaughter. There will be criticism if that happens.

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Manray9 January 5, 2016 at 12:36 am

As you said: Fits is bringing in race when it doesn’t matter.

Race Baiters Anonymous January 5, 2016 at 4:15 pm

Race does matter, it brings in the racist clicks. $$$$$$$$$

Bible Thumper January 5, 2016 at 12:51 am

The one in Furgeson got off and the first trial in Baltimore was innocent or hung jury. I forget.

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Rocky Verdunce January 5, 2016 at 8:59 am

lol…EVERYTHING to you miserable liberals is about race…

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Manray9 January 5, 2016 at 10:51 am

Apparently reading comprehension isn’t your strong point. My point was the opposite.

Bible Thumper January 5, 2016 at 3:39 am Reply
Nope January 5, 2016 at 5:57 am

The National IQ is not low enough for that to happen. I’m betting the Dems would love her to run though, think of all her missteps in the last 6 years they could jump on.

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Bible Thumper January 5, 2016 at 7:42 am

If she did become VP, it would show how low the IQs are of most of those who hang arround Fitsnews.

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Rocky Verdunce January 5, 2016 at 8:54 am

She is a lying disgrace.He personal baggage would sink ANY Republican ticket and her surrender to the racist leftist American haters on the confederate flag confirmed her RINO status-as well as her defense of Planned Parenthood.

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He Who Remembers January 5, 2016 at 9:18 am

She’s your girl, you supported her over Ervin and Sheheen. You got what you want, confederate flag hater.

Rocky Verdunce January 5, 2016 at 9:28 am

Damn right I supported Haley over Ervin and Sheheen and I would do it again.

A lying Republican is STILL always better than a liberal/socialist Democrat at the ballot box.

Lying Republican January 5, 2016 at 4:16 pm

Birds of a feather I say. She loves taxes, so do you. She hates the confederate flag, so do you. She lies, so do you. Maybe you are Haley in sheeps clothing???

Buddy Miles January 5, 2016 at 2:59 pm

Solicitor Scarlett Wilson chose to prosecute Dylan Roof as a matter of reelection capitol. Should Slager’s trial been scheduled first and she lost the case, her bid to continue her reign might be jeopardized. Her “unethical practices” have been noted by many who have insight. I contend her character is beyond questionable.

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nitrat January 5, 2016 at 10:13 pm

She is as corrupt as solicitor as we have in this state.

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