Mistrial Declared in Murder Trial of Former SC Officer

A judge declared a mistrial Monday afternoon in the fatal shooting of a man by a South Carolina former patrolman, after the jury said they could not come to a unanimous verdict, reports NBC .

In a statement read by Circuit Judge Clifton Newman, the jury said, "We as the jury regret to inform the court" that they were unable to come "to a unanimous decision in the case of the state versus Michael Slager" on Monday afternoon after a day of questions and deliberation.

"The court therefore must declare a mistrial in this case and I so declare that this case is mistried," he said after the jury returned to the room and confirmed their decision.

The jury had remained undecided — but not deadlocked — on Monday in the murder trial.

The defense in ex-patrolman Michael Slager's five-week trial claimed that he feared for his life when 50-year-old Walter Scott got control of the officer's stun gun and pointed it at him.

Slager was fired from the North Charleston Police Department after his confrontation with Scott on April 4, 2015 led to Scott's death.

Slager had been charged with murder in Scott's killing, although the jury was also allowed to consider a lesser verdict of manslaughter.