who is michael slagger attorney

Who is Michael Slager?

The officer, Michael Thomas Slager, has been charged with murder. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton) Michael Slager, the former South Carolina police officer who shot and killed Walter Scott, was sentenced Thursday to 20 years in federal prison, a decision the Scott family said gave it a “sense of justice.”

Why did Michael Slager appeal his murder case?

Like those men, Slager has filed an appeal in hopes of getting out sooner than his January 2034 release date. The former patrolman got into a struggle with Scott, 50, after a traffic stop for a broken brake light. He said he then shot Scott after he grabbed Slager’s Taser.

Was Slager's lawyer'reasonable professional competence'?

In his ruling, US District Judge Richard Gergel wrote in negotiating a plea deal, Slager's legal team "fell well within the bounds of reasonable professional competence and practice." Like the George Floyd witnesses, he saw police kill a man. Now, he's part of the system, demanding change

Where is former North Charleston officer Michael Slager now?

Former North Charleston police officer Michael Slager. File/Provided Ex-policeman Michael Slager serving time at Colorado prison with Blagojevich, Jared Fogle Michael Slager is serving a two-decade sentence at Federal Correctional Institution Englewood, which is just south of Denver. File/AP

How long is Michael Slager in jail?

Michael Slager is serving a 20-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to a civil rights charge in 2017. He shot and killed Walter Scott after a traffic stop. Slager recently brought a motion to vacate, set aside, or correct his sentence in which he claims that his counsel was ineffective.

Did the judge discount the pre-sentence report in sentencing Slager to 20 years?

He said the judge discounted the pre-sentencing report in sentencing Slager to 20 years, but that the judge’s alleged comments did not sway his performance in the case in any manner. Slager’s wife, Jamie, testified that she had heard discussions about the judge’s alleged comment.

What happened to Michael Slager?

Slager pleaded guilty in May to violation of civil rights by acting under the color of law. Walter Scott's death in April 2015 reignited "Black Lives Matter" protests. Charleston, South Carolina CNN —. Michael Slager, the former South Carolina police officer who shot and killed Walter Scott, was sentenced Thursday to 20 years in federal prison, ...

How long is Slager in jail?

A probation officer had recommended Slager be sentenced to 10 to 13 years in prison. Norton recognized that neither the Scott family nor the Slager family likely would be pleased with his punishment, adding that sentencing is the hardest facet of his more than 27 years on the bench. Slager has 14 days to appeal.

How long does it take for Slager to appeal?

Slager has 14 days to appeal. In a statement, Attorney General Jeff Sessions expressed his condolences to the Scott family and stressed the duty police officers have to uphold the law and protect citizens.

Why did the Slager family give statements to the court?

Members of Slager’s family also provided statements to the court in an effort to lessen the sentence. They shared with the court a portrait of a young man who became a police officer and went into public service out of an intense desire to help people.

What color is Slager's prison jumpsuit?

Slager, looking haggard in a gray-and-white prison jumpsuit with his wrists shackled to his waist, gave his own testimony. For the past 31 months, he said, he had thought about the moment he opened fire.

Who shot Walter Scott?

Michael Slager, the former South Carolina police officer who shot and killed Walter Scott, was sentenced Thursday to 20 years in federal prison, a decision the Scott family said gave it a “sense of justice.”

Was Slager's murder a crime?

But defense attorney Andy Savage argued that while Slager’s actions were criminal, they did not amount to murder. The appropriate offense was voluntary manslaughter, Slager’s attorneys said.

Why is Slager vulnerable to abuse?

District Judge David Norton noted during the sentencing that Slager could be especially susceptible to abuse behind bars because the prisoner is a former law enforcement officer.

When will Slager be released?

Like those men, Slager has filed an appeal in hopes of getting out sooner than his January 2034 release date.

How long is Blagojevich sentenced?

A resentencing hearing is scheduled next month for Blagojevich, who is hoping a federal judge will give him a five-year sentence instead of his original 14 years.

Who killed Walter Scott?

Michael Slager, the former North Charleston police officer who fatally shot Walter Scott, has been assigned to a Colorado prison that also holds a corrupt Illinois politician and a disgraced former spokesman for Subway sandwiches, both of whom will likely be freed before him.

Has Slager appealed the manslaughter penalty?

Many observers and Slager’s supporters had anticipated a manslaughter finding and about half that penalty. He has appealed the punishment after his attorneys took exception to the judge’s consideration of input that was not given during any court proceeding or by any witness. Written arguments, though, have not been filed.

What happened to Michael Slager?

The state retrial and federal trial were expected to take place this year, but instead, in May Michael Slager pleaded guilty to violating Walter Scott's civil rights in federal court, ending the federal case against him and also resolving the state charges that were pending after the mistrial.

Who is Michael Slager's wife?

Michael Slager's wife, Jamie Slager, told the judge, “He had to make a decision in a split second. I couldn’t imagine having to make a decision that fast.”. The judge's decision comes after Michael Slager, who is white, pleaded guilty to a federal civil rights offense.

Why did Michael Slager shoot Walter Scott?

During the state murder trial, Michael Slager's attorney said his client shot Walter Scott because he was in fear for his life. In 2016, the case ended in a mistrial.

When was Walter Scott's sentencing?

The family of Walter Scott arrives at the Charleston federal court house building for the 4th day of testimony during the sentencing hearing for former North Charleston police officer Michael Slager in Charleston, S.C, Dec. 7, 2017.

Who said he wants Slager to pay for his actions?

Rodney Scott said he wants Slager to pay for his actions. Slager’s father, mother, sister and wife also spoke to the judge, begging for a lighter sentence. They talked about how Slager led a life of service and how upset they were after the shooting.

Who filmed the shooting of Walter Scott?

Another one of Walter Scott's brothers, Anthony Scott, thanked Feiden Santana, the witness who filmed the shooting, for being "brave" enough to film what he saw.

How long did Scott's mother serve in the second degree murder case?

The second-degree murder ruling came with a recommended 19 to 24 year sentence. At one point during the sentencing Scott's mother looked the former officer in the eye and told him she forgave him. Families on both sides of the court burst into tears.