From the description of the video, which is posted on the newspaper's website, The New York Times reported:
The video begins in the vacant lot, apparently moments after Officer Slager fired his Taser. Wires, which carry the electrical current from the stun gun, appear to be extending from Mr. Scott’s body as the two men tussle and Mr. Scott turns to run.
Something — it is not clear whether it is the stun gun — is either tossed or knocked to the ground behind the two men, and Officer Slager draws his gun, the video shows. When the officer fires, Mr. Scott appears to be 15 to 20 feet away and fleeing. He falls after the last of eight shots.
The officer then runs back toward where the initial scuffle occurred and picks something up off the ground. Moments later, he drops an object near Mr. Scott’s body, the video shows.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/08/u...-charged-with-murder-in-black-mans-death.html
Three issues include:
1. The "black object" at the early stages of what happened. Possibly, it was the stun gun. I suspect that once the video is enhanced during the investigation, the object will be identified.
2. The shots were fired at Mr. Scott when he was trying to flee and was some distance away (15-20 feet according to the news account).
3. The police officer picked up and placed an object near Mr. Scott's body.
The second point will almost certainly negate arguments that Mr. Scott posed a threat to the officer. The officer's perceptions, degree of training (if he lacked adequate training), among other factors, might lead to some mitigation of the charges, but it is difficult to imagine a scenario under which the officer would be exonerated.
The third point will probably seal the case against the officer. It is nothing less than an alteration of the crime scene. Such alteration suggests that the officer may have realized he had used unlawful force and attempted to change the narrative that would have become clear from a review of the evidence.
In sum, unless there is significant and credible new evidence, it's probably very likely that the officer will be convicted. Second degree murder is a distinct possibility, especially has he had altered the scene, providing some indication that he was aware that his conduct was inappropriate. Lesser charges are also possible, if the officer can reasonably demonstrate some extenuating factors, but his actions following the shooting may have lowered the probability of his being convicted on those lesser charges.
Your analysis is ignoring the fact that the Officer said he had took his tazer.
That tazer may be what we then see being thrown down in the beginning as the Officers draws his firearm.
If so, this would indicate that the Officer (in his mind) was responding to an actual threat.
That information and whether he moved the tazer after the fact and why, may be the difference between manslaughter or involuntary manslaughter and that of a murder conviction.
The cop putting him in handcuffs while yelling at him to put his hands behind his back when he was already dead is just inexplicable.
I am sure he was in the process of dying at that point, but inexplicable?
The guy had his head up which would indicate he was at least still somewhat conscious.
Only after he was cuffed did his head turn to one side.
One cannot be in fear of their life when the other person is running away from them.
Not saying this one qualifies, but that actually depends on the circumstances.
The taser is a moot point, as it is not lethal, and having been discharged, was certainly not a weapon.
Not true.
A tazer can have more than one charge, which employed could incapacitate the Officer allowing his firearm to be taken.
The fact that he lied about providing CPR further reduces his credibility.
How did you ascertain this?
Neither the Times article or the OP's HuffP article says this specific Officer performed CPR.
I'm sure it's been mentioned, but if there was no video footage, many people would automatically assume that the black guy was a threat and the police officer was justified.
If the black thing being thrown to the ground in the beginning is the tazer that the Officer said he took, he
was a threat.
If it was, what is going to matter is if the Officer saw him toss it or not, because if he didn't see him throw it, he is still reacting to that threat.
That may be the difference between manslaughter or involuntary manslaughter and that of a murder conviction.