Jury selection for the former South Carolina police officer who shot dead an unarmed black male motorist last year begins on Monday.
Michel Slager, a white North Charleston police officer, was charged with the April 4, 2015, murder of Walter Scott.
Scott was pulled over for a broken taillight and then shot eight times as he fled the scene. Cellphone video of the incident surfaced and went viral, putting racial bias in law enforcement back into the national spotlight following the police killings of Michael Brown in Missouri and Eric Garner in Missouri.
The video also shows a fight between the two, including one over Slager’s Taser.
Slager, 34, has pleaded not guilty and was released from jail on bond early January and is on house arrest at an undisclosed location. If convicted, he faces 30 years to life in prison.
Slager has also been indicted on federal charges including violation of Scott’s civil rights, but a trial date has not yet been set.
According to court documents, roughly 180 prospective jurors are expected to report on Monday to the Charleston County Judicial Center. A panel of 12 will eventually be selected.
Last year, the city of North Charleston reached a $6.5 million civil settlement with Scott’s family. The Justice Department is also reviewing the police department to help better its policies and community relations.
