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Former S.C. Officer Who Killed Walter Scott Sentenced To 20 Years In Prison

Former police officer Michael Slager, seen during his state murder trial last year in Charleston, S.C., which ended in a hung jury. Grace Beahm/Pool/Getty Images hide caption

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Grace Beahm/Pool/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Former S.C. Officer Who Killed Walter Scott Sentenced To 20 Years In Prison

A federal judge ruled Michael Slager committed second-degree murder and obstructed justice in his 2015 shooting of Scott, an unarmed black man. Slager pleaded guilty to violating Scott's civil rights.

Cop Shooting Death Cases Raise Question: When Is Fear Reasonable?

Protesters gather outside the state Capitol in St. Paul, Minn., on June 16, 2017, after St. Anthony police Officer Jeronimo Yanez was cleared in the fatal shooting of Philando Castile, a black motorist whose death captured national attention when his girlfriend streamed the grim aftermath on Facebook. Steve Karnowski/AP hide caption

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Steve Karnowski/AP

Criminal Justice Collaborative

Cop Shooting Death Cases Raise Question: When Is Fear Reasonable?

Many Americans believe that convictions of law enforcement officers for shooting someone while on duty are too rare. But experts say jurors are hesitant to convict cops for making mistakes on the job.

Cop Shooting Death Cases Raise Question: When Is Fear Reasonable?

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Former S.C. Police Officer Pleads Guilty In Shooting Of Walter Scott

Former North Charleston, S.C., police Officer Michael Slager, seen leaving the Charleston County Courthouse after his murder trial ended in a mistrial in December 2016, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a federal civil rights violation. Mic Smith/AP hide caption

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Mic Smith/AP

The Two-Way

Former S.C. Police Officer Pleads Guilty In Shooting Of Walter Scott

Michael Slager pleaded guilty to a federal civil rights charge for using excessive force in attempting to arrest Scott in 2015. As part of the plea deal, the state will drop a pending murder charge.

Judge Declares Mistrial In Murder Case Against Former S.C. Police Officer

Judge Clifton Newman addresses the jury last week in the murder trial of former North Charleston, S.C., police Officer Michael Slager. Grace Beahm/Post and Courier via Pool hide caption

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Grace Beahm/Post and Courier via Pool

The Two-Way

Judge Declares Mistrial In Murder Case Against Former S.C. Police Officer

After nearly two days of questions and clarifications, the jury was unable to agree on a unanimous verdict for or against Michael Slager, who shot and killed Walter Scott after a traffic stop.

Jury In S.C. Police Shooting Trial Says It Is Struggling To Reach Verdict

Andy Savage, defense attorney for former North Charleston, S.C., police Officer Michael Slager, awaits a verdict from the jury on Friday. Grace Beahm/Post and Courier via Pool hide caption

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Grace Beahm/Post and Courier via Pool

The Two-Way

Jury In S.C. Police Shooting Trial Says It Is Struggling To Reach Verdict

Michael Slager is accused of murder for killing unarmed motorist Walter Scott in 2015. On Friday, jurors initially said they were hopelessly deadlocked, but then asked to keep deliberating.

Former S.C. Police Officer Takes The Stand At His Murder Trial

Former North Charleston, S.C., police Officer Michael Slager testifies Tuesday during his murder trial. Grace Beahm/Charleston Post and Courier via Pool hide caption

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Grace Beahm/Charleston Post and Courier via Pool

The Two-Way

Former S.C. Police Officer Takes The Stand At His Murder Trial

Former North Charleston Officer Michael Slager is on trial for shooting a black man named Walter Scott in the back. Slager testified he "fired until the threat was stopped, like I'm trained to do."

For Many, S.C. Police Shooting Trial May Finally Offer A Turning Point

Former North Charleston police officer Michael Slager talks with his attorney, Andy Savage, before a hearing on Jan. 4. Brad Nettles/AP hide caption

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Brad Nettles/AP

National

For Many, S.C. Police Shooting Trial May Finally Offer A Turning Point

In previous high-profile police shooting cases, prosecutors have not won convictions against the officers. But many in Charleston hope the trial of ex-cop Michael Slager will send a different message.

For Many, S.C. Police Shooting Trial May Finally Offer A Turning Point

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Former S.C. Police Officer Indicted On Civil Rights Charges In Death Of Black Man

Michael Slager (left) appeared with defense attorney Cameron Blazer during a Circuit Court hearing last September at the Charleston County Courthouse in Charleston, S.C. Getty Images hide caption

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The Two-Way

Former S.C. Police Officer Indicted On Civil Rights Charges In Death Of Black Man

Cellphone video showed Michael Slager repeatedly fire his weapon at Walter Scott, who was unarmed, last April in North Charleston. Slager is already facing murder charges.

Former S.C. Officer Who Shot And Killed Walter Scott Is Out On Bail

Former North Charleston police Officer Michael Slager talks with his attorney before a hearing in front of Judge Clifton Newman on Monday. Brad Nettles/AP hide caption

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Brad Nettles/AP

The Two-Way

Former S.C. Officer Who Shot And Killed Walter Scott Is Out On Bail

Cellphone video showed Michael Slager shooting an unarmed black man in the back last year in North Charleston, S.C. He was charged with murder and initially denied bail. Now he's out on $500,000 bond.

Bail Denied For Former Police Officer Who Shot And Killed Unarmed Black Man

Michael Slager stands with defense attorney Cameron Blazer in the Charleston County Courthouse on Friday. On Monday, a judge denied his request to be released on bail. Pool/Getty Images hide caption

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Pool/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Bail Denied For Former Police Officer Who Shot And Killed Unarmed Black Man

A Charleston, S.C., judge ruled that Michael Slager will have to remain in jail. Slager, then an officer, was caught on video, shooting Walter Scott in the back during a traffic stop in April.

Civilians Can Record Police Encounters, But When Is It Interference?

Cellphones were used to record a 2012 confrontation between protesters and police in Springfield, Ill. Seth Perlman/AP hide caption

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Seth Perlman/AP

Code Switch

Civilians Can Record Police Encounters, But When Is It Interference?

Courts have ruled that civilians have a constitutional right to videotape police encounters in public. But civilians are not allowed to interfere with police activity.

Civilians Can Record Police Encounters, But When Is It Interference?

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