Defense, state at odds over trial date in ex-officer’s trial

The defense and prosecution are at odds over the trial date for a former South Carolina police officer charged with killing an unarmed black motorist.

Andy Savage, the attorney for former officer Michael Slager, filed a motion Friday for a speedy trial and said he could be ready in March or April.

Prosecutor Scarlett Wilson wants the trial next November. The state Supreme Court has issued an order saying that after Jan. 1, she will not have to try any other cases until the Dylann Roof trial is held in July. Roof is charged in the Charleston church shootings.

Slager, who is white, is charged with murder in the shooting of Walter Scott in an incident captured on cellphone video. The judge on Friday did not set a trial date.

Meanwhile, Slager’s attorneys are seeking more evidence, including just what a state investigator posted on Facebook that led to his firing.

The attorneys are seeking evidence, including material from the investigation of a State Law Enforcement Division Agent who was assigned to the case and fired last August.

A letter from SLED Chief Mark Keel included in court documents says the agent posted negative Facebook comments about the prosecution case in a homicide investigation. The letter didn’t say, specifically, which murder case.

This story was originally published December 4, 2015 at 9:59 PM with the headline "Defense, state at odds over trial date in ex-officer’s trial."