It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for: the grand jury has finally come to a decision on whether or not to indict Darren Wilson, the Ferguson police officer responsible for shooting unarmed teen Michael Brown and it’s the worst news ever: He won’t be indicted, which means that he will not face charges for murdering Brown.
In a lengthy and somewhat bizarrely long statement, Prosector Robert McCulloch explained in great detail how the investigation was conducted and the extent of the evidence presented to the Grand Jury. Dismissing almost all of the eye witness testimony and wagging his finger at the media’s “insatiable” appetite for a story, Prosecutor McCulloch took pains to explain contradictory witness testimony as he built up the final reveal: there will be no charges. Following that announcement McCulloch went on to present a rather confusing amount of witness testimony, so confusing, one can’t even begin to imagine how a Grand Jury would have deciphered it all. It should be noted that the prosecutor made the rather untraditional call to present this Grand Jury with ever single piece of evidence collected, and did not edit, presumably to avoid being accused of further bias.
The grand jury began deliberating Wilson’s fate on August 20 and it seems like it’s taken them forever to reach this indictment. The jury was asked to decide if there was probable cause to charge Wilson and what the charge should be. He could see charges from second-degree involuntary manslaughter to second-degree murder. Wilson’s lack of indictment means that the grand jury did not find probably cause. The anticipation of the indictment has kept Ferguson and many of us distant supporters on edge.
It’s this support that’s given the authorities justification to suit up far beyond their normal police gear, fire rubber bullets and shoot out tear gas and flares. Protestors gathered in the streets from the moment Brown’s death became public knowledge and haven’t dispersed since.
President Obama has urged everyone to peacefully assemble, knowing full well that Wilson’s lack of indictment is a slap in many Black faces. Many Mike Brown supporters are demanding answers and a conviction for Wilson, and by the looks of things, we may never get either of those.
Brown’s death shocked not only Ferguson, Missouri, but the nation. And because Wilson is White and Brown was Black, his death created a racial divide and reopened the conversation that never really seems to close: Black lives don’t matter to police officers. The immediate reaction to Brown’s death were passionate protests that were misreported at violent.
This decision will erupt in protests. St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay said law enforcement has agreed to 11 of 19 rules of engagement (rules for conduct when protesters meet police again on the streets) submitted by protest leaders, including avoiding the use of excessive force and communicating with protest organizers to de-escalate tense situations. But we all know rules and regulations go out of the window where there’s fiery passion.
Michael Brown Sr. said:
“No matter what the grand jury decides, I do not want my son’s death to be in vain — I want it to lead to positive change,” a very somber Brown says in a public service announcement. “I thank you for lifting your voices to end racial profiling and police intimidation, but hurting others or destroying property is not the answer.”
This is the first step in justice being served not only for the grieving Brown family, but many of us who have witnessed his murder and realize that they don’t really care about us.
Must be nice that Darren Wilson gets to go on with his life and enjoy his new wife. Yes, the murdering cop was married in the midst of being investigated for this controversial murder. Let’s not forget that Wilson’s been on paid leave. It’s almost like he completely got away with murder.
Darren Wilson Will Not Face Charges For Murdering Michael Brown was originally published on hellobeautiful.com
