Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Eugene

(61,785 posts)
Fri Dec 2, 2016, 04:22 PM Dec 2016

Walter Scott shooting: jury unable to reach verdict in officer's murder trial

Source: The Guardian

Walter Scott shooting: jury unable to reach verdict in officer's murder trial

Judge instructs jury to keep deliberating after they came out
to report they could not reach consensus on charges for former
police officer Michael Slager


Oliver Laughland
Friday 2 December 2016 19.42 GMT

The jury in the trial of former police officer Michael Slager, who shot and killed unarmed African American Walter Scott as he ran away, has indicated it cannot reach a unanimous decision, throwing a cloud of uncertainty over the case.

The monthlong trial heard closing arguments on Wednesday, leaving jurors to decide whether to convict Slager, 35, on charges of murder or manslaughter.

On Friday, after over 14 hours of deliberations, the jury’s foreman indicated in a note to South Carolina judge Clifton Newman that they would not be able to reach a unanimous decision.

“It is clear that jurors will not be able to come to consensus,” the note read.

In response, Judge Newman called the jury back into the court room and urged them, under a so-called Allen charge, to continue deliberations and push for a decision.

[font size=1]-snip-[/font]


Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/dec/02/walter-scott-shooting-trial-jury-michael-slager
5 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Walter Scott shooting: jury unable to reach verdict in officer's murder trial (Original Post) Eugene Dec 2016 OP
Jury nullifiers Ohioblue22 Dec 2016 #1
The judge told them... yallerdawg Dec 2016 #2
i also learned that the jury of 11 people is 10 white, 1 african american.nt. drray23 Dec 2016 #3
Apparantly, there is a lone holdout. SaschaHM Dec 2016 #4
But....But....But....It Was So Obvious SoCalMusicLover Dec 2016 #5

yallerdawg

(16,104 posts)
2. The judge told them...
Fri Dec 2, 2016, 04:40 PM
Dec 2016

they should reach a verdict now - one way or the other - the defense, prosecution or another jury will not change a thing.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Walter Scott shooting: ju...