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Bail sought for former officer charged in shooting death

By BRUCE SMITH
A file photo shows organizers from various activist groups planned rallies and demonstrations in the wake of the shooting death of Walter Scott by a North Charleston police officer.
A file photo shows organizers from various activist groups planned rallies and demonstrations in the wake of the shooting death of Walter Scott by a North Charleston police officer. Matt Walsh Matt Walsh

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) – The attorney for a white former South Carolina policeman charged in the shooting death of a black motorist wants his client released on bail.

Charleston attorney Andy Savage filed a motion Tuesday asking for a hearing on his request that former North Charleston officer Michael Slager be released from jail where he has been held since April 7.

Slager has been indicted on a charge of murder in the shooting death of 50-year-old Walter Scott. A bystander’s cellphone video showed Slager firing eight times as Scott tried to run from a traffic stop.

Savage’s motion said Slager presents a low danger to the community and a low danger of flight and should have a chance to seek bail.

No hearing has been set on the request.

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