John Bacon

USA TODAY

A South Carolina judge declared a mistrial Monday after jurors said they were unable to reach a unanimous verdict in the case of a white former North Charleston police officer charged with murder in the death of black motorist Walter Scott.

The mistrial came just a few hours after Circuit Judge Clifton Newman had ordered jurors to continue deliberating. But the jurors reported later that they were hopelessly unable to reach a unanimous consensus. The panel of one black and 11 white jurors had deliberated about 22 hours over four days.

Lawyers for Michael Slager had sought a mistrial after jurors told Newman on Friday they were deadlocked because one holdout juror was unwilling to convict Slager. Jurors, however, sent the judge a note Monday saying most of the jurors were undecided.

The jurors also asked the judge several questions, including why Slager was charged with voluntary manslaughter in addition to murder. Slager could spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted of murder. A voluntary manslaughter conviction could bring a sentence of anywhere from two years to 30 years.

Slager case is latest police-involved killing to leave public in limbo

Slager's wife, Jamie, cried after the jurors were dismissed and briefly put her head on the bench in front of her. She said "thank you for everything" to the defense lawyers as they left the courtroom. She did not respond when reporters asked if she wanted to comment.

One female juror wiped away tears with her hands and a tissue as the attorneys addressed them and thanked them for their hours of work.

There were no outbursts in the courtroom. Savage did not comment.

Scott's mother and brother said outside the courthouse that justice will eventually prevail.

"I'm not sad because I know justice will be served," Judy Scott said.

Scott's family also called for peaceful protests.

"We're not going to tear up this city," said Scott's brother, Anthony. "We're not happy. But we're not sad."

Asked whether he could forgive Slager, Anthony Scott said he could eventually "find the peace" to forgive the ex-officer but not before justice is served.

"He gets to spend Christmas with his family," he said of Slager.

The jury also asked if the self-defense standard is the same for a police officer as it is for other people.

Slager, 35, was near tears last week when he testified he pulled over Scott's 1991 Mercedes for a broken tail light on April 4, 2015. Scott, 50, ran away, and Slager said a scuffle ensued after he pursued Scott on foot. Slager said Scott attempted to wrest away the officer's Taser and that he shot Scott out of fear for his own life.

Jury in Scott case in S.C. breaks for weekend amid deadlock

A bystander's cellphone video, which begins seconds before Slager started shooting, shows Scott fleeing as Slager fires eight shots. Scott was hit three times in the back, once in the buttocks and once on the ear.

Outside the courthouse, local pastors conducted a prayer vigil while awaiting a verdict. One man held a sign reading "Justice for Walter Scott and his family NOW!"

Slager was fired from the force and charged with murder within days of the release of the cellphone video. He has been free since January on a $500,000 bond.

Slager also is awaiting trial in federal court, charged with violating Scott's rights, obstruction of justice and a gun violation. The city of North Charleston agreed to pay a $6.5 million settlement to the Scott family.

Contributing: Associated Press