WHITE South Carolina police officer Justin Craven walked free from a court in the state capital Columbia on Monday after agreeing a plea bargain over shooting dead black motorist Ernest Satterwhite two years ago.

He pleaded guilty to the misdemeanour of misconduct in office and was sentenced to three years on probation.

A prosecutor wanted the North Augusta police officer charged with voluntary manslaughter, which carries up to 30 years in prison, but a grand jury refused to indict him.

The death of Mr Satterwhite, who was over the drink-driving limit and was driving erratically, was captured on video from the police officer’s dashboard camera.

The footage shows Mr Craven run up to Mr Satterwhite’s parked car, stick his gun and both arms into the driver’s open window. When the driver pushes back, the policeman pulls his weapon out of the window and fires several shots.

North Augusta paid the Satterwhite family nearly $1.2 million (£840,000) to settle a civil case.