BREAKING: Darren Wilson Walks After Grand Jury Decides No Indictment
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Update: Attorney General Eric Holder has released a statement:
“While the grand jury proceeding in St. Louis County has concluded, the Justice Department’s investigation into the shooting of Michael Brown remains ongoing. Though we have shared information with local prosecutors during the course of our investigation, the federal inquiry has been independent of the local one from the start, and remains so now. Even at this mature stage of the investigation, we have avoided prejudging any of the evidence. And although federal civil rights law imposes a high legal bar in these types of cases, we have resisted forming premature conclusions.
“Michael Brown’s death was a tragedy. This incident has sparked a national conversation about the need to ensure confidence between law enforcement and the communities they protect and serve. While constructive efforts are underway in Ferguson and communities nationwide, far more must be done to create enduring trust. The Department will continue to work with law enforcement, civil rights, faith and community leaders across the country to foster effective relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve and to improve fairness in the criminal justice system overall. In addition, the Department continues to investigate allegations of unconstitutional policing patterns or practices by the Ferguson Police Department.
“Though there will be disagreement with the grand jury's decision not to indict, this feeling should not lead to violence. Those who decide to participate in demonstrations should remember the wishes of Michael Brown's parents, who have asked that remembrances of their son be conducted peacefully. It does not honor his memory to engage in violence or looting. In the coming days, it will likewise be important for local law enforcement authorities to respect the rights of demonstrators, and deescalate tensions by avoiding excessive displays—and uses—of force.”
Update: Ferguson protestors have released a statement:
Update: Viral Vine of Michael Brown's mother:
Update: Photos of officer Darren Wilson's injuries taken immediately after the shooting death of Michael Brown were just released:
Update: Photos from some of the simultaneous protests taking place across the country tonight:
Update: Read the full statement of Michael Brown's family here:
"We are profoundly disappointed that the killer of our child will not face the consequence of his actions.
While we understand that many others share our pain, we ask that you channel your frustration in ways that will make a positive change. We need to work together to fix the system that allowed this to happen.
Join with us in our campaign to ensure that every police officer working the streets in this country wears a body camera.
We respectfully ask that you please keep your protests peaceful. Answering violence with violence is not the appropriate reaction.
Let's not just make noise, let's make a difference."
Lesley McSpadden and Michael Brown, Sr.
Parents of Michael Brown, Jr.
Update: Here's what President Obama had to say in remarks:
President Obama: "We need to recognize that this is not just an issue for Ferguson, this is an issue for America. We have made enormous progress in race relations in the course of the past several decades. I've witnessed that in my whole life... and to deny that progress is to deny America's capacity for change. But what is also true is that there are still problems and communities of color are not making these problems up."
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Darren Wilson, the white police officer who shot and killed black teenager Michael Brown will not face charges in the teen’s death. The Aug. 9th shooting of Brown set off protests that lasted for weeks in Ferguson, Mo., a northern suburb of St. Louis.
“The world is watching,” said St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCullough after he announced the grand jury’s decision not to indict Wilson during a 20 minute statement read several hours after the Grand Jury finished convening.
McCullough went on to detail the version of events of what happened the day Brown died, claiming Wilson observed that Brown was the same suspect in an earlier theft. During testimony the jurors also heard that Officer Wilson fired 12 rounds at Michael Brown. McCullough also implied conflict between witness testimony and physical evidence leading to no charges being filed.
Calling Brown’s death a “tragic loss regardless of the circumstances,” McCullough’s statement admonished the media, praised the Grand Jury and gave a version of events from the day Brown died.
McCullough blamed the ”24-hour news cycle” for further enflaming tensions in the three months since Brown’s shooting took place, citing leaks and conflicting, inaccurate information pushed by the press surrounding the case.
With nearby school districts shuttering doors and the St. Louis Galleria Mall closing early, the lengthy time leading up to the announcement left the feeling of an impending siege. For days, businesses in Ferguson have been boarded up, preparing for the worst with the governor of Missouri adding to the fervor by declaring a state of emergency almost a week prior to the announcement.
To learn more about what you can do to take action, please read this piece we posted shortly after Mike Brown's death: Real Change after Ferguson, What We Can Do