In this Feb. 18, 2013 photo made available by the Columbia County Sheriff's Office, shows Ernest Satterwhite. North Augusta Police officer Justin Craven took a plea deal Monday, April 11, 2016, in the shooting death of Satterwhite in February 2014. Craven was sentenced to three years probation and 80 hours of community service. (Columbia County Sheriff's Office via AP) (The Associated Press)
EDGEFIELD, S.C. – The Latest on a white South Carolina police officer who pleaded guilty in the shooting death of a black driver (all times local):
6:05 p.m.
A dashcam video shows a white South Carolina police officer stick his gun into the window of a black driver's car before pulling the weapon out and killing the man.
State police released the video of North Augusta police Officer Justin Craven shooting Ernest Satterwhite on Monday after Craven pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and was sentenced to three years of probation. The Associated Press has been asking to see the video for nearly two years since the February 2014 shooting.
In the footage, Craven runs up to Satterwhite's car after a 13-minute chase. He sticks his gun in Satterwhite's open window, and a black arm is seen pushing at the pistol. Craven pulls the weapon out and fires several shots.
Police experts say an officer should never charge at a suspect without determining whether the person is dangerous.
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5 p.m.
The lawyer for a white South Carolina police officer sentenced to three years of probation for killing a black driver at the end of a chase says he made a split-second error in judgment.
Attorney Jack Swerling said North Augusta police Officer Justin Craven shouldn't have run up to Ernest Satterwhite's car at the end of a 13-minute chase in February 2014.
Swerling says Craven shot Satterwhite after the 68-year-old driver reached for the officer's gun.
Swerling says Craven thought about going to trial to clear his name but feared that would be difficult with several other police shootings in the news.
Prosecutors originally tried to charge Craven with voluntary manslaughter, but a grand jury refused to indict him. He pleaded guilty Monday to misdemeanor misconduct in office.
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3:50 p.m.
A white South Carolina police officer who was charged with a felony for shooting and killing a black driver at the end of a police chase has taken a plea deal and been sentenced to probation.
Multiple media outlets report North Augusta Police officer Justin Craven pleaded guilty to misconduct in office Monday. He was sentenced to three years of probation and 80 hours of community service.
Prosecutors originally wanted to charge Craven with voluntary manslaughter in the killing of 68-year-old Ernest Satterwhite, who had just pulled into his driveway after a 15-minute police chase in February 2014. But a grand jury refused. Craven was later charged with a different felony before taking the plea deal.
The shooting was captured on video. State police say they will release the footage soon.
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