NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C., June 8 (UPI) -- Michael Slager, the former North Charleston police officer accused of killing Walter Scott by shooting him in the back, was indicted on a murder charge on Monday.
"We wanted to let you know that the Charleston County grand jury returned an indictment for murder this morning against former officer Michael Slager in the death of Walter Scott," South Carolina prosecutor Scarlett Wilson said at a press conference.
A murder conviction in South Carolina carries a sentence of life imprisonment or 30-years to life, without the possibility of parole, Wilson added.
Judge Clifton Newman was appointed to preside over the case. A trial schedule will be announced later.
Scott, 50, died April 4 after he was shot by Slager, 33. Slager was charged with one count of murder after a video surfaced of him shooting eight times toward Scott as he ran away.
Before the incident, Slager pulled Scott over for a traffic stop and discovered a warrant out for Scott's arrest in family court. Slager initially said he followed protocol when he shot Scott, stating Scott had grabbed his Taser.
