Ex- S.C. cop indicted on civil rights charges

WASHINGTON — A former South Carolina police officer, who faces state murder charges in last year's fatal shooting of Walter Scott, was indicted on federal civil rights offenses, including obstruction of justice.

The three-count indictment unsealed Wednesday also charges Michael Slager with shooting Scott without legal justification and depriving the victim of his right to be "free from the use of unreasonable force by a law enforcement officer.''

The April 4, 2015, incident, which began with a simple traffic stop in North Charleston, was caught on video and ultimately showed Slager shooting Scott as he attempted to flee on the scene of the stop on foot.

In the days after the shooting, federal prosecutors allege that Slager "knowing and intentionally misled'' state investigators in his account of the fatal shooting.

Cellphone video of the incident instantly revived a simmering national debate on the treatment of black suspects by police. Scott was black and Slager is white.

Slager is currently awaiting murder charges in state court. The former officer is expected to make his first federal court appearance later Wednesday.