Grand Jury Won’t Indict Ferguson Cop In Shooting
President Barack Obama says he joins with Michael Brown's family in urging peaceful protests after a grand jury decided not to indict the Ferguson police officer who shot and killed the unarmed, black 18-year-old.
Speaking Monday evening after the grand jury's decision was announced, the president said first and foremost the nation is built on the rule of law. He said despite anger and intense disagreement on either side, Americans need to accept the decision that the grand jury made.
Police cars were vandalized and several gunshots were heard on the streets of Ferguson after the announcement of the grand jury's decision.
St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Bob McCulloch announced the decision Monday evening. A grand jury of nine whites and three blacks had been meeting weekly since Aug. 20 to consider evidence.
At least nine votes would have been required to indict Wilson.
About 15 minutes after Prosecutor McCulloch made the announcement, St. Louis County police used a bullhorn to tell crowds outside the Ferguson Police Department to disperse, saying it had become an unlawful assembly.
Protesters hugged a barricade and taunted police, sometimes with expletives. Some chanted ``murderer.'' Gunshots were heard down the street and somebody threw a water bottle that bounced off a police shield.
Some in the crowd reportedly tried to stop others from taking part in vandalism and other violent reactions.
Brown's Aug. 9 death sparked more than a week of unrest that included angry clashes between police and protesters and led Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon to briefly summon the National Guard.
The Justice Department is conducting an investigation into possible civil rights violations that could result in federal charges.
UPDATE: This story was updated to add coverage of the public's reaction and the president's remarks after the grand jury's decision. -- 11/24/14
Associated Press writer Alan Scher Zagier in Clayton contributed to this report. Follow David A. Lieb at: https://twitter.com/DavidALieb .
Links
- Reports: Ferguson Grand Jury Has Reached Decision
- Ferguson, Mo., Anxiously Awaits Michael Brown Grand Jury Decision
- Police Officer Shot In Ferguson, Mo. As Protests Continue
- AP Exclusive: Ferguson No-Fly Zone Aimed At Media
- Police Shut Down Ferguson Protest Camp
- Ferguson’s Plan To Cut Back On Court Fees Could Inspire Change
- Beyond Ferguson: White Fear, Black Anger, American Rage
- Ferguson Police Tactics Draw Justice Department Investigation
- Ferguson Police Start Wearing Body Cameras
- More coverage at npr.org