As the issue of police brutality continues to be a focal point in the American psyche, the circumstances and fallout from the deaths of unarmed Black Americans is always on the tip of the tongue. Today, it has been revealed that Michael Slager, the former South Carolina police officer who shot and killed Walter Scott, was released on $500,000 bond today.
Slager had been in custody since April 2015, after being charged with murder when footage was released showing him shooting Walter Scott in the back as he ran away. Prior to his arrest, he argued that he pulled Scott over for a broken brake light and accused the victim of attempting to grab his stun gun. When the video was released, Slager was immediately fired, arrested and placed under solitary confinement for his protection.
According to the Charleston Post and Courier, Slager’s attorney Andy Savage pleaded for his release because of his clients complications from celiac disease from the gluten in the jail’s food. The judge agreed and granted him to be released on $500K bond. Slager has been ordered to remain on house arrest until his trial on October 31, 2016 and he is barred from having any contact with Walter Scott’s family.
