Shoplifting hearing postponed for ex-trooper who shot motorist

A court hearing involving a shoplifting charge against former S.C. Highway Patrol trooper Sean Groubert will not take place, at least for the time being.

Groubert, 33, who was arrested with his wife, Morgan, was charged with shoplifting at Wal-Mart last October. According to an arrest warrant in the case, the two allegedly switched price tags on items they had bought.

On Sept. 4, 2014, Groubert, once an S.C. Highway Patrol trooper of the year, was the subject of nationwide publicity when he shot an unarmed African-American man whom he had stopped for an alleged seat belt violation.

In March, Groubert pleaded guilty to assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature in the shooting case. He is now awaiting sentencing.

No court date has been set for either the shoplifting charge or the shooting-related sentencing.

John Monk

This story was originally published September 14, 2016 at 5:26 PM with the headline "Shoplifting hearing postponed for ex-trooper who shot motorist."