Photo Courtesy of Associated Press
A judge has ordered court officials to investigate whether a former South Carolina police officer (left) charged with murder in the killing of an unarmed driver is poor enough to get taxpayer money for his defense. Lawyers for the former officer, Michael Slager, told a judge Wednesday that they have not been paid because Mr. Slager has no money.
The defense team also wants public funds to pay for expert witnesses. Judge Clifton Newman agreed to have Mr. Slager’s financial records reviewed and to consider the request to pay for the experts once he gets the paperwork. How much the defense wants to spend was not disclosed. Mr. Slager is awaiting trial for the April shooting of Walter Scott, who was pulled over for a broken brake light in North Charleston. Mr. Slager shot Mr. Scott as he ran away.