The South Carolina Supreme Court has made a staffing decision that is bringing wide praise across the community. Chief Justice Jean Toal has assigned prominent Black Judge Clifton Newman to decide all matters related to the case of former North Charleston police officer Michael Slager in the murder of unarmed Black male Walter Scott. In addition Judge Toal’s order states that Newman will “retain jurisdiction … regardless of where he may be assigned to hold court.” The murder recieved national attention when it was caught on video by witness Feidin Santana.
The order was announced today and is paving the way for what promises to be a trial that will rock the nation to its core. The murder of Scott by Slager has sparked massive protests across the country but the decision to appoint Newman, one of five Black state judges, is being looked at as a positive step. There has been some question as to why a judge in the Third Circuit is presiding over a trial which should be in the state’s Ninth Circuit; however there was no word why Chief Justice Toal made this decision.
Judge Newman, 63, was elected in 2000 and previously served as a Circuit Court Solicitor for 17 years as well as being a being a private attorney for 24 years before he took his set on the bench.
