ST. LOUIS — A grand jury has declined to indict Darren Wilson, the white Ferguson, Mo. police officer whose fatal shooting of an unarmed black teenager sparked days of turbulent protests and a national conversation about race and police interactions with African Americans, prosecutors said Monday.
The decision means that Wilson, 28, will face no state charges in the August shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown. Although a parallel federal civil rights investigation of the shooting is continuing, federal investigators have all but concluded they do not have a case against Wilson, either, law enforcement officials have said.
A separate federal probe of the Ferguson Police Department is underway. But the prospect that Wilson will face no direct legal consequences for Brown’s death was expected to trigger protests in the St. Louis area, and in the hours before the announcement, scores of demonstrators gathered near the area where Brown was killed.
Protests are going on nationwide. In Ferguson, some businesses are going up in flames. Gun shots have been heard. I am not sure what protests will do. Would the behavior be the same if Wilson were not white? I am not sure. I have never felt that Officer Wilson was guilty, from what I read. However, I wasn’t there. Neither were most of the people out in the streets rioting.
As you comment, please attempt to be judicious in your comments. None of us were there. A set of parents have lost their son and a community has lost one of its young. Those things hurt. Michael Brown has become an icon, rightly or wrongly, for police brutality, especially in communities of color.
The Grand Jury has failed to act. The will of the people is clear and we can’t wait any longer. Our Executive in the White House should indite Darren Wilson. James 4:12 says “There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy.” Clearly, our faith commands The Executive to act.
I do not understand why they waited to announce the decision at 9PM et – in darkness. Why they did they not wait until 9AM on Tuesday – much less ‘wilding’ would occur in the day light. Peaceful protesters want the day light, non peaceful want the night.
Totally agree with you, Pat. It makes no sense to take a volatile situation and make an announcement at 9 PM. Stupid just doesn’t seem to go away on this one.
@Furby McPhee The president asked for peaceful protests. Please be a good citizen.
I have an open mind on the case. Supposedly there are 60 or 70 witness statements, now made public, that we haven’t heard before. I’m feeling skeptical but I have an open mind.
As to the nighttime announcement, I would think the idea was to let everyone get home from work and kids back from school and evening traffic died down? Really amazed when looting occurs and people act wild how quick some are to try to blame it on big daddy government somehow. Are you sure that in the daytime there would have been less violence? Are you sure there wouldn’t have been kids caught up in it to a greater extent? Are you sure a Reginal denny incident wouldn’t be more likely?
@Pat.Herve
Heh…they should’ve waited for rain or snow.
That would have have probably been smart. ( pm was pure stupid on steroids when dealing with a volatile issue.
There was going to be a riot regardless
“They’ve indicted the racist cop! Loot and burn!”
“They’ve let the racist cop! Loot and burn!”
They were going to use either excuse.
You probably need to define who “they” is. Looters will loot Burners will burn. Not all the people out there are looters and burners.
I think Mr. Bentley is on the money in the last para of his #5. I heard a local official give those very reasons in an interview early this morning.
I actually managed to skim through a bunch of the witness statements today. Having devoted maybe a solid hour to this, I am now ready to issue my judgement.
We may never know what happened. The incident was strange enough that different witnesses saw entirely different things.
What gives me the most pause is that most witnesses saw Brown as hands up, as not moving forward – however they describe it, most are adamant that he was in a defensive position.
But it’s hard to be sure about that, because some elements of delusion are at play with some witnesses. Some witnesses saw things that are wildly incorrect.
It’s a Rorschach test on race. You can choose to see the incident how you want to. You can find supporting evidence either way.
Does that mean no reason to charge him? Arguably. Was the process inherently biased – letting him craft a defense after collating all available evidence? Arguably.
Some people saw things also who weren’t even at the scene. The identified themselves as expert witnesses. I find that sort of amazing.
Is it ironic that an incident that began with a strong-arm robbery gets commemorated not with 4 1/2 minutes of silence, but with looting and robbery? (Including of the same store Brown robbed). Yes.
I watched the President mumble his usual stuff last night, hectoring white America as he likes to do. Against a split screen of looting and setting cars on fire. If that’s not a teachable moment, about the dead end of looking backwards rather than forwards on race issues, nothing ever will be for him. He’s not a leader, and he hasn’t lead. Nobody elected him to talk down to white people. That’s not his job description.
About 30 years ago, I remember Reagan making remarks about how non-religious Americans loved their country less than religious ones. I though wow, that’s wrong to stand there as President and represent some more than others. I haven’t felt that way again until Obama. He’s injudicious, and un-Presidential IMO.
He didn’t say a word about the possibility of filing federal charges – not a word about his actual area of responsibility. Which he spent millions of taxpayer dollars on. Just the usual stuff about how much white people have yet to understand. Awful excuse for leadership.
I didn’t feel at all like I was being talked down to.
As soon as Michael Brown reached into a police officers vehicle and assaulted him he probably sealed his fate.
The bigger issue is poverty in America, race relations in communities with police departments, and a general distrust of law enforcement by minorities.
I simply can’t watch the riots any more. I don’t know anyone who would think there wouldn’t be deadly consequences once you put your hands on a police officer. Newsflash. White parents tell their kids that also. I know I sure told my wild child that.
Rows and rows of burning cars sickens me. What does that prove.
http://twitchy.com/2014/11/24/hell-of-a-woman-brave-citizen-protects-ferguson-restaurant-from-masked-thugs-as-looting-escalates-photos/
This was not the only case of such bravery by citizens. The store that Michael Brown stole cigars, was also protected by several young men!
http://www.mediaite.com/tv/ferguson-looters-target-store-where-michael-brown-allegedly-stole-cigars/
One point – it’s not definitive that he reached into the car and assaulted the officer. There’s testimony both ways on that.
The scene in Ferguson is literally a circus. People are flying in to see it, to be part of the black anger Woodstock. It’s absurd.
It is absurd. How else did his blood get inside the car? Just asking. How else did the cop get all beat up looking?
@Elena
Good for them! I don’t know if the woman was defending her who store or just a fed up citizen who doesn’t like to see their town burned down. Either way, good for her!
It’s refreshing to see some people acting responsibly. I’m sick of watching the father-in-law of Michael Brown chanting “Burn this (bleep) down! Burn this bitch down!”. Michael Brown, Sr. has been much more responsible too.
Sadly though, too many people seem to be listening the voice of the mob, or Al Sharptom. But I guess I repeat myself.
I think that idiot was his stepfather. Sorry for the name calling but that guy should be arrested for being stupid. He is irresponsible and is trying to incite a riot.
Is there someone who can explain to me, the reason for burning stores and cars;
smashing windows and looting. What do the rioters expect to achieve?
I got so angry yesterday watching the attorney, Crumb, and Sharpton speaking and
speaking but not ONCE asking the black people of Ferguson to calm down, go home
and let the town heal – not ONCE! Rather, they seemed to stoke the anger.
I agree, Punchak. I have no idea why people riot or loot. Its stupid, self-destructive behavior. Frankly, ( I guess I will be the first dirty dog to say this) the behavior simply causes and reinforces division between people.
Yes, many folks out there did try to stoke the anger–people who should have been in positions of leadership and who weren’t.
I think that many of us who are generally “left leaning” and who tend to be rather quick to give the benefit of the doubt have been remarkably silent on this issue.
Never is it acceptable to loot, burn and destroy.
ABC is reporting that two FBI special agents were shot during an unrelated investigation near Ferguson early this morning. No mention of their skin color, but I would take a bet.
@punchak
The coordinated effort to intimidate, first the local prosecuter and then the Grand Jury has nothing to do with justice. The burning and looting is payback for not going forward with the lynching of a white officer, who was clearly a racist looking to kill some innocent black kid in the middle of the day, in the middle of the street, all alone in the middle of a black neighborhood. Those SOBs that planted that blood in Wilson’s patrol car will be found out. Who does not have the right to slap a patrol officer while still in his car?
I say pull back. Let Fergusen reap their own rewards. You don’t trust us, you hate us to this extent, great, we get it – see ya.
Blue, make sure you put sarcasm indicators up on your comments when you are being sarcastic. (we have casual readers who glance rather than read and don’t leave comments)
I am not disagreeing with you, btw. (savor those words)
I am angry that the prosecuter said that those that clearly perjured themselves to the police and apparantly before the Grand Jury will not be charged with perjury or better for inciting a riot – include Sharpton in that too. There need to be consequences. This is a serious business.
Mr. Howler told me that there were eye witnesses testifying who weren’t even present when Michael was shot. they should be prosecuted if Mr. H is correct.
I am not sure how Mr. Howler got to be such an expert but he does watch a lot of TV. If I find him watching Faux News I will smash his TV with a bat though.
I don’t think that is what sealed his fate, what sealed his fate was him reaching for the officers gun. I have family members who are police officers, the second someone goes for your gun it’s essentially turned into a fight to the death.
Who is it that clearly perjured themself, blue?
Many of you are talking as if you really know what happened.
Lots of disinterested bystanders said he had his hands up in a defensive position while Wilson walked forward (not backwards) and shot him.
Yes it is definitive that he reached into the car and assaulted the officer. Mr. Brown’s blood was found on the outside door and inside the vehicle, as well as on the officers gun, shirt and pants. Also, forensic evidence showed that the graze wound on Brown’s right thumb came from point blank range meaning Brown’s hand was on the gun when the injury occurred.
You really should read over the evidence that was presented. Once you do you will realize that the witnesses accounts that said Brown was just standing there when shot are proven false by the blood trail. The blood trail evidence clearly shows that Brown was moving forward when shot, not standing still.
The disinterested bystanders you mentioned that said he had his hands up just standing there. The evidence proves that to be clearly wrong.
Laughing like hell….I crossed over to the dark side for a few minutes. It is making me just as sick as MSNBC….but I saw footage of some AH setting his hand on fire trying to light a Molotov cocktail.
@Rick Bentley
Listen to the prosecutors presentation. He clearly refers to those whose made statements that were later found to not even be in the area and also to those whose stories changed the minute they were confronted with forensic findings. He was not referring to the fog of confusion. In the Q&A that followed his statement, a reporter specifically asked if those who perjured themselves would be prosecuted. He does not clarify that there was no perjury, and to any prosecutor words have meaning — only that e did not plan to pursue them.
@Rick Bentley
Not sure who you are calling a “disinterested by-stander.” Is there such a thing as a disinterested by-stander in this case?
I am going with forensic evidence myself. I think the eye witnesses are pretty much discredited.
@Jackson Bills
Just shoot me. I am agreeing with Jackson.
ARRRGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH…I am melting…fading away….headed to the dark side….
anyone want to buy a blog….I am departing…..
@Jackson Bills
CNN (Cumo- who had Wilson convicted on day 2), interviewed the lawyers for Wilson. They directely attacked the AH lawyer that said there should be a record of the shell casings to establish distances – suggesting a coverup. They were maped and it was presented to the Grand Jury. Good Police work. Want to bet on whether the Wilson interview is played more or the lawyers interview is played more on ABC or CNN. Ok, I’ll double down, same bet on the repeat of the Sharpton or Brown Family lawyer’s speech vice the Wilson lawyers.
@Moon-howler
🙂 Now THAT is funny Moon.
@Furby McPhee
They didn’t “fail to act.” They’ve acted for months. They DECIDED that there isn’t enough evidence to prosecute.
@Moon-howler
One of the agitators got her car stolen while she was a a “F@#K the police” rally.
My comment about her impugning the person that liberated this car in the name of the oppressed has gotten over 2100 upvotes. Almost 200o of them in the first 24 hours.
I wonder if she even filed a police report. I bet the cops would get right on that.
I agree 100%, I haven’t really been able to watch the news since the decision was read. Although, I do get a good chuckle out of the morons that end up hurting themselves while they are trying to destroy property.
Did you see the one of the guy that was live streaming the rioting? He was talking all sorts of crap while he was streaming everything and then someone stole his iPhone 6. One minute he is streaming car fires and the next minute you just see his phone running off down the street.
“Listen to the prosecutors presentation.”
I did, actually.
There are witness statements that Brown was moving forward. There are more that he wasn’t.
I got the impression from skimming the statements yesterday that there was one major witness, in addition to Wilson, who saw Brown as moving forward with aggression. And many more saying Brown’s body language indicated, even from a distance, that he was surrendering.
The witness statements are ALL AVAILABLE – I skimmed many of them yesterday. I’d like you guys to name at least one witness that you think perjured themself.
It’s obvious watching you guys on this thread that white opinion on Moonhowlings is closing itself off – you think that you actually know what happened. Which is sad to me.
Just as this case hits something deep and dark in black Americans, it apparently hits something deep and dark in white Americans.
@Jackson Bills
In what world can you put your hands on a police officer? That starts the process that isn’t going to have a good ending for YOU.
I sure taught my son that.
@Jackson Bills
😈
👿
@Rick Bentley
Being white has nothing to do with it Rick, do me a favor, take out the racial component and witness statements and just look at the actual physical evidence presented. Witness statements can be inaccurate, false or plain flat out lies. Physical evidence does not change, lie or assume.
The physical evidence is what it is and it shows that some of the witness testimony was flat out not accurate and in some cases completely wrong. I have yet to hear you once reference the physical evidence, instead your too fixated on witness testimony.
@Cargosquid
So much for that one way street she prefers to travel. I bet that crime report will sit on someone’s desk for an eternity.
I am not saying that there isn’t a problem in Ferguson and 100 other cities and jurisdictions in this countries. All police departments have bad apples (all places have bad apples) I just haven’t seen any proof that this cop was one of the bad apples. Bad apples usually have paper trails. (thinking of a local Gray Eminence having nothing to do with cops but definitely with paper trails)
The rioters are stupid and are going to bring about a back lash that will only deepen the divide along racial lines. Proof: just look at who is saying what on this blog.
I have a decent grasp on the evidence, again I did skim witness statements. It is definitely true as you say that some of the witnesses are wrong, because they are in conflict with each other.
Definitive physical evidence? I don’t think so. It does strongly indicate that there was a fight in the car. Which doesn’t indicate that Brown went in on him or went for his gun.
My opinion, it is not reasonable to pretend we know what happened. It is obvious there is reasonable doubt for any charge against Wilson though, so it’s appropriate not to prosecute him on any charge. (As was also true in the Zimmerman case).
@Moon-howler
In no way can you put your hands on a police officer Moon, I think we both agree on that. What I was saying is that putting your hands on an officer doesn’t necessary trigger a lethal response. However, going for an officers weapon does. Once you do that it’s pretty much lights out.
My cousins who are officers in MD have had many physical altercations with suspects (PG county). None of which resulted in a use of lethal force. However, if one of those suspects went for their weapon your damn right they would use lethal force as ALL police officers would and should.
Now, my BEST GUESS or INTUITION on what happened :
Wilson and Brown were probably both somewhat belligerant to each other. Wilson’s testimony of saying “Hey fellas, what’s wrong with the sidewalk” is hard to believe.
Brown may have leaned in and may have gone gone for Wilson’s gun. Hard to say. Two guys know and one is dead.
Brown turned and had his hands mostly up. Wilson knew he was unarmed. Brown made some movement which may have been to pull his pants up. This probably made Wilson nervous – maybe rightfully so, maybe Brown was going to run at him. Wilson shot him.
At some point, Brown who was unarmed, had been shot and was falling. Wilson shot him again in the head, fatally. IMO this probably wasn’t justified on a oral basis.
The incident if we could all stand there and watch it ourselves, is probably right on the line of what one could consider a justified shooting. As it stands it’s a Rorshach test on race, or if you prefer on police rights vs. criminal rights.
The idea that Wilson’s a hero or that he had no choice … rings false to me.
Some of you act as if you want to pin a big shiny silver medal on Wilson. Wild to me.
Well i await the eventual Darren Wilson vs. George Zimmerman Celebrity Boxing match 10 years down the road.
I disagree, having Browns blood found inside the vehicle, on the officers pants (right thigh as if in a seated position) and his shirt as well as on the top of the officers weapon strongly indicates that there was a struggle inside the vehicle and that Browns right hand was on the weapon as they struggled for it.
How else would Browns blood be found in the vehicle and on the weapon? His injury, a graze to his right thumb, is consistent with Brown grabbing the top of the weapon with his right hand with his thumb partially covering the barrel when the gun went off. The GSR (gun shot residue) tests prove that Browns hand was in either direct contact with the weapon or right next to the weapon when it was discharged. There is no way of getting around that. You don’t get gun shot residue on your hands when your 5/10/20 feet away.
@Rick Bentley
I don’t recall anyone saying Wilson was a hero or that he didn’t have a choice. My view is that he didn’t do anything wrong, plain and simple. He was justified in his use of lethal force, the grand jury felt the same. The physical evidence supports his testimony of the events (along with other witness testimony).
The true test will come soon enough. Eric Holder has been and will be doing everything within his power to file federal charges against officer Wilson. The FBI have had all of the same evidence and interviewed all of the same witnesses that the prosecutor and grand jury had. If there is even the slightest bit of evidence that Wilson did something wrong then Holder should be issuing federal charges any second/day now. But don’t hold your breath.
Even if that’s likely possible or true, I have reservations about Wilson shooting him over and over when he knew he was unarmed and shot – and falling.
I can imagine a scenario where Wilson felt guilty about whatever happened, and would as soon have Brown dead as alive.
I’m not sure how justified that fatal shot to the head is.
I’m not saying Wilson did anything wrong. I think no one can reasonably say they’re sure he didn’t.
It’s one thing to say no charges are filed, and that’s appropriate. Another to say, I know the shooting went down as per Wilson’s account.
Then there is the possibility that Wilson feared for his life. How many of us would really think things through if we were in that position? I think it is as Wilson said, he acted on training.
Have we determined at what point Wilson knew Brown was unarmed? There are more ways to kill than with a gun.
I don’t want Wilson lionized or turned into a hero. He was just a guy out doing a job that went real bad. The point is, he was doing his job that he was paid to do when all this came down.
Unlike Zimmerman, he didn’t insert himself into the situation and try to play super cop.