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Former South Carolina Police Officer Convicted in 2015 Walter Scott Killing Eligible for Early Release
Michael Slager, the former South Carolina police officer who fatally shot Walter Scott in 2015, could be released early from prison to a halfway house under the First Step Act. The bipartisan criminal justice reform law allows certain inmates to serve part of their sentence in supervised community placement. Scott's family has spoken out against the potential early release.
May 13, 7:04 PM·1m read1 source
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A former South Carolina police officer convicted in the 2015 fatal shooting of Walter Scott is eligible for early release from federal prison to a halfway house under a bipartisan criminal justice reform law. The officer could now be moved to a halfway house before completing his full sentence because of the First Step Act, which was enacted to reduce certain federal prison terms and expand rehabilitation programs.
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The law permits eligible nonviolent offenders to serve the final portion of their sentences in home confinement or a residential reentry center. Slager's case qualifies for review under these provisions even though the underlying offense involved the use of deadly force.
Scott's family has spoken out against the potential early release. They have expressed opposition to Slager serving less time than originally imposed by the court. The incident drew national attention after video footage showed Scott running from Slager following a stop for a broken taillight.
The officer fired multiple shots, striking Scott five times in the back. Slager initially reported that Scott had taken his stun gun before the shooting, but the video contradicted that account. Slager was acquitted by a state jury on murder charges in 2016.
He later reached the federal plea agreement that resulted in the 20-year sentence. The First Step Act, passed with support from both parties in Congress, has led to the early release or sentence reductions for thousands of federal inmates since its enactment.
