No indictment in Michael Brown shooting death
A Ferguson, Missouri police officer who fatally shot an unarmed black teenager will not be indicted for the teen’s murder.
Michael Brown died on Aug. 9 after an encounter with Officer Darren Wilson.
A St. Louis County grand jury declined to indict officer Darren Wilson, 28, for firing six shots in an August confrontation that killed 18-year-old Michael Brown, said Benjamin Crump, an attorney for the family. The decision had been long awaited and followed rioting that resembled war-zone news footage in this predominantly black suburb of St. Louis.
“The jury was not inclined to indict on any charges,” Crump said after being informed of the decision by authorities. Prosecutors scheduled an news conference to announce the decision.
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon called for calm after summonsing the state’s National Guard troops to stand by in case of unrest.
Crowds gathered around the Ferguson police headquarters as they awaited the announcement in Clayton, Mo.
Brown’s lifeless body lay for more than four hours on a Ferguson street after the shooting, prompting confusion and anger as a crowd gathered.
The 12-person grand jury, (nine whites and three blacks,) had been meeting in secret for months since the shooting. They heard evidence and weighed in on the case that garnered international attention.
For months, Brown’s family, along with thousands of protesters demanded Wilson’s arrest. Police patrolled the streets with military-grade weapons and armored vehicles.
No words…may the land be healed.
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