Justice Department lawyers will recommend no civil rights charges against Darren Wilson
The New York Times reports that Justice Department prosecutors are expected to recommend that no civil rights charges be brought against Darren Wilson. Darren Wilson, a former police officer in Ferguson, MO, shot and killed Michael Brown in August. No criminal charges were brought against him either.
From the New York Times:
Justice Department lawyers will recommend that no civil rights charges be brought against the police officer who fatally shot an unarmed teenager in Ferguson, Mo., after an F.B.I. investigation found no evidence to support charges, law enforcement officials said Wednesday.
Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. and his civil rights chief, Vanita Gupta, will have the final say on whether the Justice Department will close the case against the officer, Darren Wilson. But it would be unusual for them to overrule the prosecutors on the case, who are still working on a legal memo explaining their recommendation.
A decision by the Justice Department would bring an end to the politically charged investigation of Mr. Wilson in the death of 18-year-old Michael Brown. The Missouri authorities concluded their investigation into Mr. Brown’s death in November and also recommended against charges.
But a broader Justice Department civil rights investigation into allegations of discriminatory traffic stops and excessive force by the Ferguson Police Department remains open. That investigation could lead to significant changes at the department, which is overwhelmingly white despite serving a city that is mostly black.
Benjamin L. Crump, the legal representation for the Brown’s family, told the New York Times that he did not want to comment until the Justice Department made an official announcement.
“We’ve heard speculation on cases before that didn’t turn out to be true. It’s too much to put the family through to respond to every rumor,” said Mr. Crump.
Read more at the New York Times
Photo: Darren Wilson
