04-09-2015, 10:25 AM
The increase and prevalence of high quality video being captured on phones is a positive development when things like this happen. Clearly the officer lied, then had his attorney lying for him until the video was given to police. Add body cameras to the mix and nearly every incident will be reviewable in some way shape or form, which is a good thing. As Warner Wolf used to say, 'Let's go to the videotape!'.
None of the other officers were around or on scene when the shooting occurred, so I'll hold off on them for now... there are at least 40 seconds after the shooting before the second officer arrives on scene. If any of them submitted a report that somehow corroborated Slager's events of the shooting I'd be surprised. If they did, they deserve what they get.
The only thing they should have written were his statements (which would have been Slager lying to other officers) to them because he was alone at the time of the shooting. So if they did that, they are not lying or corroborating anything... they are supplementing the arresting officers report with what they were told immediately following the incident.
Don't know what to make of the CPR thing, given that an autopsy would show if it wasn't performed. Bodies that have CPR performed on them show obvious signs of it, and most officers should know that. The first video does stop, and it then resumes later. When it resumes, several officers are clearly treating the gunshot wounds with urgency. That leads me to believe that Mr. Scott's heart was still beating at the time, so that is why they weren't doing CPR. It's conceivable that CPR was started on the scene and not captured by the bystanders video - although he has said they never did CPR. An autopsy should show if that is truly the case.
I also noticed that it appears whatever Slager dropped near the body at 1:33 he also might pick up and put in his belt at 2:11. Could be something else, though he appears to holster it. The other officer may not have seen it being dropped or picked up, as he seems much more focused on Mr. Scott and directing others to the scene.
None of the other officers were around or on scene when the shooting occurred, so I'll hold off on them for now... there are at least 40 seconds after the shooting before the second officer arrives on scene. If any of them submitted a report that somehow corroborated Slager's events of the shooting I'd be surprised. If they did, they deserve what they get.
The only thing they should have written were his statements (which would have been Slager lying to other officers) to them because he was alone at the time of the shooting. So if they did that, they are not lying or corroborating anything... they are supplementing the arresting officers report with what they were told immediately following the incident.
Don't know what to make of the CPR thing, given that an autopsy would show if it wasn't performed. Bodies that have CPR performed on them show obvious signs of it, and most officers should know that. The first video does stop, and it then resumes later. When it resumes, several officers are clearly treating the gunshot wounds with urgency. That leads me to believe that Mr. Scott's heart was still beating at the time, so that is why they weren't doing CPR. It's conceivable that CPR was started on the scene and not captured by the bystanders video - although he has said they never did CPR. An autopsy should show if that is truly the case.
I also noticed that it appears whatever Slager dropped near the body at 1:33 he also might pick up and put in his belt at 2:11. Could be something else, though he appears to holster it. The other officer may not have seen it being dropped or picked up, as he seems much more focused on Mr. Scott and directing others to the scene.