Son of slain black man wants life in prison for ex-officer
CHARLESTON, S.C. — The son of a black motorist who was shot to death by a white former police officer asked a judge Wednesday to hand down the stiffest sentence possible: life in prison.
Clutching a photograph of his father, Miles Scott said he has had trouble sleeping ever since his father, Walter Scott, was shot in the back while running from then-officer Michael Slager after a traffic stop in 2015. He said he misses watching football games with his dad.
“I miss my father every day,” the high school student said through tears. “I would like you to sentence the defendant to the strongest sentence the laws allows because he murdered my one and only father.”
Slager pleaded guilty in May to violating Walter Scott’s civil rights. Federal officials have recommended 10 to nearly 13 years in prison, but his attorneys argue the 36-year-old Slager should face far less time.