Judge Denies Slager’s Request for State Funds to Help Pay for Expert Witnesses

Michael Slager is charged with murder in the 2015 death of Walter Scott in North Charleston.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — A judge on Thursday denied former North Charleston police officer Michael Slager’s request for state funds to help pay for expert witnesses.

Judge Clifton Newman ruled Slager, who is charged with murder in the death of Walter Scott, is not entitled to public funding since he does not have a court-appointed attorney.

Slager’s attorney, Andy Savage, said he is representing his client pro bono and has already spent $100,000 of his own money on experts.

He argued Slager should be entitled to state money because he was declared indigent and can’t afford it.

Newman was not swayed.

Savage did not comment on the judge’s ruling.

Former S.C. Attorney General Charlie Condon said the Constitution doesn’t talk about the best defense possible.

“It talks about a legal standard as a matter of representation or good representation,” Condon said.

Slager has been out of jail since Monday, when Newman set his bond at $500,000.

His trial is set for Oct. 31.