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Grand jury decides not to indict police officer in Ferguson shooting

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By DAVID A. LIEB and ANDALE GROSS

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Of course. It's truly unfortunate that this incident had to be politicized to this magnitude.

10 ( +16 / -6 )

Makes absolutely no sense to pillage, loot, and burn your own neighborhood. I can understand why certain members of community might be angry with the grand jury decision, but come on DON'T POOP WHERE YOU SLEEP.

I couldn't agree more. Hurting your own neighborhood because you don't agree with the grand jury is the height of stupidity. It does absolutely no good for anyone anywhere, and lots of bad.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Absolutely Nigelboy! Way overblown. The media hyena'a reported hearsay as facts! Many witness reports were simply lies, exaggerations and fabrication.

And now the police have a few a-holes to deal with so far. Some vandalism and discontent. Do they even know what or why they are doing what they do? Or is an excuse to be an are.

5 ( +13 / -8 )

Watching the violence in Ferguson MO on CNN and wondering --

Makes absolutely no sense to pillage, loot, and burn your own neighborhood. I can understand why certain members of community might be angry with the grand jury decision, but come on DON'T POOP WHERE YOU SLEEP.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Still amazed at the process, regardless of the outcome. Not many places in the world where people could scrutinize each step of the process so transparently. Not Russia, not China, not even Japan. In China, people won't even get within eye-distance of the courthouse. And now, they'd be releasing the documents and evidence that were presented to the grand jury. Wow

5 ( +5 / -0 )

dude should of got Man 2 or suspended sentence. He took somebodys life, plain and simple. Anyhoot, he will end up a security guard in another state Im sure.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

It is sad but just. Michael Brown made mistakes that day. Fatal mistakes. Darren Wilson needed to protect himself and did it with an outcome surely he would prefer different.

4 ( +18 / -14 )

Started already onagagamo! This does not help race relations one bit. They think they are right in what they do. Mr Brown himself who lost the most requested peaceful protests. A good man to ask that!

4 ( +9 / -5 )

Yes, Mark, this does NOT help race relations at all, there are different ways to vent anger and violence is not one of them.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

Nobody knows how the secret tribunal broke down their decision. There are 12 on the panel and it would have required nine of them to agree to indict. So, conceivably, a jury that voted 8 against 4 to indict, the result would have been the same: No indictment.

There never was enough eveidence to take the case to the grand jury in the first place. The only reason this step was taken ws to appease the public. Charges were not recommended for the simple fact that they weren't warranted. This case was not complex or difficult to understand, the evidence was straight forward. The federal government oversaw the investigation, and have conducted their own, and they will not prefer charges either. The story told by the officer was (gasp!) the truth.

The testimony and evidence will now be made public record, and you can read it yourself, if you like. But you have probabaly already made up your mind based upon hyped-up media reports with interviews of people who told repoerters stories of what a friend of a friend may have seen. .

4 ( +15 / -11 )

For those who say he should have shot to maim, when police fire, it is to kill and not maim. If you have never shot a gun before, in order for you to aim for a limb on a moving target, you have to be a pretty good shot, and have time to aim. I doubt that the officer had those options based on the evidence presented to the Grand Jury. It's not like in the movies.

For those saying that the GJ process is flawed, based on the Federal judical statistics, in 2010 the Feds took 162,000 cases to GJ's, and out of that number, only 11 were returned with a verdict of not to indict. Don't have the MO statistics. There was not a standard of probably cause, what the GJ was supposed to do. There were 6 Black witnesses who can verify the officers statements, as well as forensic evidence from 3 autopsys.

Sad as this event was, it was ruled as justified. These people (the GJ) had over 70 hours of testimony that we the public didn't have access to. Some may not like it, but in this case justice was served.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

You are claiming everything is speculative, but you're buying every bit of Wilson's story.

Why would you buy the story of people that were completely discredited?

Physically capable? Where are Wilson's injuries?

in his face, even if you can't see them as clear, but nonetheless, he did visibly have facial injuries.

No. not "no reason." Wilson was a scared "five-year-old" child -- Scared of "the demon." He had a reason; it just wasn't rational.

Could be true, people angry, enraged, yes, you could look like one. Scary, especially when you are high as a kite!

Again, you're totally buying Wilson's version of the story. Was Brown striking Wilson or going for his gun? Which hand was dong which? Let's say Brown called Wilson a coward (not the word he used), and slammed the door back on him. I would suspect this was the moment Wilson first went for his gun. Wilson is feeding you Brown's intent. As long as the rest of his story checks out, I could take his word for it. But his story doesn't check out.

Hmmm, neither does Brown's witnesses, that's at least what the Grand Jury thought.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

The Brown family has concurred that their son did not receive justice. So yes, listen to them.

It's understandable, everyone would think like that, regardless of which side wins or loses.

Nobody knows how the secret tribunal broke down their decision. There are 12 on the panel and it would have required nine of them to agree to indict. So, conceivably, a jury that voted 8 against 4 to indict, the result would have been the same: No indictment.

The evidence and the witnesses didn't prove their decision to rule a guilty indictment. Also, we now know that Wilson did sustain injuries to his face, this just came out.

This so-called "system of justice" had the scales tipped in Wilson's favor.

That's because the system didn't go the way you wanted it to go. That's why you think like that.

I was most interested in hearing about the extent of Wilson's injuries. What McCollough described sounded insignificant. I think he used the word "redness." Perhaps more details will be released now that the county's case is over.

It's coming.

It would be fitting that some of the jurors go public with how things broke down inside the secret panel.

They will at some point and time.

3 ( +9 / -6 )

Good. There was a video of Thug Brown strong arming a smaller convenience store owning and stealing from him.

Good? Good? You think the death of a young man is good? Even if he did commit that robbery he was not arrested or tried or convicted for it, just executed.

I don't know how anyone can say this is "good". Even if you think he was a bad young man and a danger, do you think being shot in the street is how a civilized society should be dispensing justice?

There's no "good" in this situation to be had, anywhere.

3 ( +9 / -6 )

But there is no way I consider summary execution in the streets an appropriate response unless an officer is in immediate physical danger.

I suggest doing some reading on this case before making ill-informed comments.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

That is something only you would find significant, Ape.

@ yabits: Only because in another article on this issue, you pretty much blamed the white GOP majority Grand Jury in your view of not realizing what you thought were the facts and were trying to make it a GOP/race issue. That's why I brought it up. If he would have been a GOP DA, that would be one of your arguments, and I base that on the previous posts you make on JT. It seems in your world view, GOP bad, Dems good.

As you pontificated in your infinite judical wisdom on why you thought that they would indict, I guess the 12 who were there saw all of the facts and evidence and decided based on what they saw. There were 3 Blacks on the GJ, so I guess according to your logic, they were part of the "4" who voted to indict, but we don't know that or how they voted.

Also, if the decision was 8 to 4 what makes you think if it had gone to a trial and it was brought to a jury that they would have voted differently. The only difference would be the media sensations and the row and row of expert witnesses trying to obsure the facts.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

yabitsNOV. 26, 2014 - 12:10PM JST I don't know why you are not being honest about this JoeBigs.

If you would take the time to actually look at the links that I posted you would see that they are the actual testimonies and evidence that was presented to the grand jury. Nothing that I said came from thin are, look at the links and open your eyes. Also, the links are from NPR and not something I made up.

But, as always you come to the discussion with zero proof and just a whole lot of personal bias. Try harder and stop with your usual personal attacks.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

After viewing all the looting and destruction, I can see now why they consider Brown a "gentle giant". He probably is when compared to the rest of those low-life people.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Correct decision. Now watch the looting begin....

2 ( +15 / -13 )

Grand jury decides not to indict police officer in Ferguson shooting

Correct decision, I am glad that the prosecutors office didn't buckle under the political hysteria that the media and the usual far left clowns have been claiming.

Now, it's time for the law to protect the citizens and their property from the rioters.

2 ( +14 / -12 )

Good. There was a video of Thug Brown strong arming a smaller convenience store owning and stealing from him.

2 ( +10 / -8 )

So you think summary execution would have been justified as such? (And if the officer had even known about the theft).

He did, there is a audio tape on YouTube and you can clearly hear Wilson heard about the robbery.

And that of course, warrants DEATH!!

If you try to wrestle away and possible shoot me with a firearm and my life is in danger and hangs in the balance, YES, of course.

Wonder why rapists and pedophiles are not given the same treatment...rofl

They often do, that's tpwhy they are usually held in a different wing of the prison or would be dead meat. Also, we have strict pedophile laws, one of them Meagan's Law.

Moral of the Story: Steal a few cigars or wave a toy gun and get shot to death

More like, beat the crap out of an officer that is physically overpowering you, try to restrain and get back up, but if you know or feel your life is threatened, you have the right as officer to use any force necessary to neutralize that threat.

Rape somebody or molest a child: U.S. constitution protection for fair trial and rehabilitation program.

Absolutely NOT true.

Yep, these Americans definitely have their bloody priorities straight. Yee-haw!

No more compared to other sane countries.

2 ( +11 / -9 )

There is something inherently wrong when a petty thug is venerated just because he belongs to a particular race. The same people then blame the police and the courts when they do their duty.

The diseased minds who back this Brown thug would respond much differently if they were at the receiving end.

2 ( +10 / -8 )

No there isn't

Yeah, there is, if you check, you will hear it, stop and leave the emotion, put it aside and deal with the facts. Wilson is number-21, its like a 15 min. Tape or so. Anyway, it's there.

Yes, but that doesn't extend to when the suspect is 100ft away. The officer's life was not in danger at this point

You don't know, you weren't there, you can't make that determination, anyway, it's over and Wilson's got his life back.

1) The above statement makes the incorrect presumption that the U.S. Is sane, and can therefore be compared with sane countries.

It can and it does.

2) It's just wrong anyways.

That's your opinion.

The U.S. prioritized the 'right' to possess guns over the lives of children. 'Sane' countries don't do this. By definition prioritizing guns over children's lives makes a country not sane.

Again, that's your opinion, we are not Europe and I'm thankful we will never become like Europe. You have your social problems and we have ours. We are all different. like it or not.

2 ( +9 / -7 )

The Brown apologists have a few traits in common ,uncouth behavior and an inclination for violence.

We can see that happening on this forum and it is building up in Ferguson. How long can we tolerate criminality in fear of being shown as politically incorrect.

The maximum noise is made by the bottom feeders of society and its time to either put them in prison or kick them out of this forum.

2 ( +9 / -7 )

But there is no way I consider summary execution in the streets an appropriate response unless an officer is in immediate physical danger.

I'm confused SL so forigive me for my ignorance but since you are from the States, you are more knowledgeable about the due process which took place but isn't that what the Grand Jury decided?

I gave my opinion on summary execution in the streets. What relation does your comment have with mine?

The Brown apologists have a few traits in common ,uncouth behavior and an inclination for violence.

Where has anyone apologized for Brown? I haven't seen anyone say that he was justified in attacking the officer, or in the unrelated convenience store incident. You seem to have a fundamental misunderstanding of what the argument is against the officer's actions. It is the fact that he shot an unarmed man from 100 feet away, when his person was under no imminent threat.

The maximum noise is made by the bottom feeders of society and its time to either put them in prison or kick them out of this forum.

Since you seem to think the first amendment doesn't matter, does this mean that you also think it's ok to scrap the second amendment?

2 ( +8 / -6 )

dude should of got Man 2 or suspended sentence. He took somebodys life, plain and simple. Anyhoot, he will end up a security guard in another state Im sure.

Maybe not, he would have to have a dishonorable charge on his record for that to happen and if he doesn't have that and he's been cleared, they can either retire him with a nice big check or relocate him to somewhere else, someplace sunny and safer and he'll be ok, he can restart his life.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

It all comes from a more darker place. Unemployment and white flight, mistrust and dare I say it, prejudice in one community towards the other . Hot air about jobs for youth etc. Jobs dont get created out of the air, there has to be an investor come and see an opportunity. A dumbed down educational system. The negativity gets passed around. People with criminal records are trapped in the cycle. A dependance on the goverment. It will take some serious engineering to reverse it. People who make it, can come back and reinvest into the community, raise the standards and drive out vice etc. The prize to chase now, however, is a record contract, singing about the hood,or a spot on the corner to sell dope. So many are making millions doing it, but doing more damage by promoting the cycle. If your not from that cycle of poverty, your not hard.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

@jpn_guy

Why? Why is this happening? Why is an unarmed man, who has heard guns shots, had bullets whistle past him and is in fear for his life, why is he turning round to charge his attacker? This just does not happen. It never happens. It goes against human nature and common sense.

Are you sure? Have been in that situation before, and while high? Or are you just judging by some action movie?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Here's a quote from your own link from Wilson's testimony: "Wilson said that's when he noticed that the man whom he later learned was Brown had cigarillos in his hand, and Johnson was wearing a black shirt. He said that "that's when it clicked ... [that] these are the two men from the stealing."

Many of the witnessese testimonies were thrown out, meaning, there were a lot of people that lied and were discredited.

He reports knowing that other units were looking for the suspects. Why did he not let dispatch know he thinks he's spotted them? Why not? Because he's lying.

You can't prove he's lying, also he did notify dispatch of the altercation that he had with Brown.

He's so completely focused on their jaywalking and lack of respect for this authority.

As he should, but since Brown was high as a kite, maybe he was a bit impaired.

His grandiose exaggeration: Brown outweighs Wilson, but they're both very tall -- that he felt like a 5-year old against Hulk Hogan (I am at least as tall as Wilson and would never describe myself that way in an encounter with a guy my height who was as heavy as Brown, who was clearly out of shape and couldn't run more than a couple hundred feet before getting out of breath. And his describing Brown as a "demon," says a lot about Wilson's perceptions and state of mind. (These are words coming from Wilson's own mouth.)

But Brown had his girth and Brown was high, didn't care one bit that a man with a badge had any right to tell him what to do, at that moment, Brown was sealing his own fate.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

"None of the witnesses who testified, other than Wilson, could say exactly what was happening inside his police car, but by almost all accounts, Michael Brown was physically struggling with the officer through his open window moments before he was fatally shot on Aug. 9." - Associated Press, LIEB and MOHR, Nov. 25.

End of: "almost all accounts, Michael Brown was physically struggling with the officer through his open window" At six foot four and eighteen years of age, Michael Brown was a fully able adult aggressor. Grabbing for the Officer's gun, Mr. Brown was intent on slaying the Officer.

The resulting looting, fabrications of innocence and continued violence don't condemn the Police. These actions condemn the opportunists who will use Mr. Brown's foolish gambit as a shield for their own criminal designs. This not Trayvon Martin being stalked by a deranged loser revisited; this is a street thug who tries to kill a Police Officer and got what he deserved. If anything his family should be ashamed.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

If "blacks" vote based on color, why didn't Al Sharpton get that much support?

Because even most Blacks know that Al is a joke. Instead of bothering people and being the race agitator he is, he should promptly pay his taxes and leave the rest of us law abiding citizens alone.

Obama was clearly the better candidate that year.

Yeah, so people thought, but now they finally woke up.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Public attention to this killing has frequently focused on the fact that Brown was unarmed. But whether or not Brown had a weapon makes little difference under Missouri law. State law says officers can act with deadly force when they believe it is necessary to arrest a person who has committed a felony or who may "endanger life or inflict serious physical injury."

The jurors asked about this deadly force standard Friday shortly before they began deliberating. One asked whether a person's hands could be considered a weapon, and was told yes.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

There are plenty of instances in real racial profiling in america. Why the public picked the one incident that wasn't is beyond me.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

@yabits "How reliable is Wilson's testimony?" The forensic evidence corroborates his story, along with the witnesses who turned out to be credible.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

For some who wonder how it can be shown Brown's intent was to slay the Officer need go no further than the attack in the cruiser.

Once the attack turned to a fight for the service weapon the intent was to gain control of the gun and turn it on the Officer. That's why Brown fought for the gun, to kill Officer Wilson with it.

And why did he want to kill? Because street thug thieves have nothing better to do or think about. And that is who Mr. Brown was. A thief who wanted to kill a cop. And that's what the grand jury determined. And that is how Mr. Brown came to his end.

The fans of fantasy and conspiracy will ignore the blood and DNA evidence the grand jury considered because facts reveal the truth and fantasy and conspiracy dissolve when facts shed light on ignorance and prejudice. Getting angry is all the helpless ignorant have when facts prove them deluded.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Until the timeline and recreation mapping is made available, every moment after Brown tried to grab Officer Wilson's gun is speculative.

What is clear, Brown chose to fight the Officer through the open window and in the course of that exchange attempted to gain control of the gun and was shot through the hand leaving blood and DNA evidence on the gun and in the cruiser.

Whatever ballet of death happened after Brown's attack in the cruiser, the facts prove the intent to kill the Officer by a physically capable and highly motivated street thug. Somewhere there is a 3-D belief Wilson was carelessly shooting Brown to death for no reason. And after three months the grand jury didn't see that illustrated. That then is where reason and prejudice part company. Without the timeline and recreation mapping, it's all conjecture. And it was all Mr. Brown's own fault for attacking a Police Officer and trying to take the service weapon to turn on the cop..

2 ( +2 / -0 )

kaimcahl:

" When white people March it's called a demonstration when people of color march it's called a riot!!! "

Nope, it is called a riot when it is a riot. And it is called looting when it is looting. Skin color has nothing to with that. You can find plenty of examples of riots where the majority is white, and demonstrations where the majority is black. Can we get rid of this obsession with race?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

kaimycahlDEC. 01, 2014 - 12:39PM JST @Dukeleto It all boils down to that old joke:

Question: What do you call a man with a gun? Answer: MURDERED/KILLER

Sorry, but that makes no sense at all even from a grammatical point of view.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Land of the free. too many people die needlessly in the US because of heavy handed law enforcement and ubiquity of guns. look at the poor kid shot yesterday for waving a BB around......

1 ( +11 / -10 )

Can people imagine what would happen if the prosecutor (the DA) sent every single case to a grand jury without recommending any charges? (A prosecutor's main job is to win indictments.) By not recommending charges -- which is unusual -- it meant that Wilson's case was very specially treated. This so-called "system of justice" had the scales tipped in Wilson's favor

@ yabits: The DA is a Democrat in this case.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

This whole incident made me so sad. The handling of this case will probably NOT motivate young black Ferguson men and woman to become cops and lawmakers in their city. It will NOT do anything to lessen the white population's mistrust of black people. Things will only get worse for Ferguson and cities like it I fear.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Predictably a riot follows. Us is becoming so polarised that seems that any incident like this results in extreme reactions from either side.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

White cop gets away with murdering a kid and white folks celebrate.

I didn't see any white folks celebrating. The non-media white folks I saw were participating in the protests,

1 ( +4 / -3 )

There are plenty of opportunities in the U.S. even for dropouts, excons, veterans etc. There are apprentice programs that pay good but the work is hard. There is the military and many minority programs. You might have to start working driving a truck. Unfortunately, there isnt somebody on the streets passing this around,they are passing around the lattest negativity. Some violent offender who just got out is right back into the mix. But these are temporary fixes, once you return to the hood, its the same thing. Only local service jobs or crime. Some roller showing off his bling. It starts at a very personal level, like the code of Bushido Japanese do or other cultures self sacrifice. Thats an easy thing to say though, when your surrounded by it 24/7 its something else.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

McCollough claimed that the grand jury was made up of a typical cross-section of members of the community. That means if roughly 50% of the community sided or sympathized with the police officer prior to, and without knowing any of the facts of the case, then it would not be hard at all to have four jurors who would refuse to indict. Keep in mind that if 8 of the 12 jurors wanted to indict and only four did not , there would be no indictment. Nine out of 12 have to approve.

Now that the transcripts have been released, I immediately went to Volume 5 -- which records the testimony of the first two officers who arrived at the scene and talked with Wilson. Their testimony is pretty amazing in that both of them have Wilson telling them he had stopped the two for walking in the street. They specifically noted that Wilson didn't say anything about trying to arrest them for the theft at the convenience store. Both asserted from Wilson's statements that he didn't know anything about the store robbery. Both recall Wilson telling them that he told them to get out of the road and that they shouted profanities at him while staying in the road -- and that's what caused him to back up and confront the two.

Wilson later claims he was actually trying to apprehend Brown for suspicion of the theft -- which would greatly trump a jaywalking charge. If Wilson thought he was trying to apprehend a robbery suspect, he would not have failed to mention it to his fellow officers who arrived at the scene. But all he told them was two kids walking in the road. Nothing about the store, and nothing about the cigars.

McCollough said a lot of the testimony didn't add up, and that certainly can be said of Wilson's. He's a liar. And it's certainly easy enough to find four out of any panel of 12 to buy any lie he wants to sell them.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

@ bass4funk - If "blacks" vote based on color, why didn't Al Sharpton get that much support? Obama was clearly the better candidate that year.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

There are people who want to believe that white policeman are racist. The evidence does not matter. There are those who believe nothing has changed since the 1950's. The fact that the President is black (and white) and the top law enforcement officer in the nation is black means nothing. People made up their mind the instant that George Zimmerman was wrongly identified as a white man. When this turned out to be false he was then euphemistically referred to as a white Hispanic. He was found innocent.

When some people heard that a white policeman had shot to death a little unarmed black child in Ferguson - that was it. Wilson was automatically a rogue cop and was practically branded a Klan member out to lynch any random black person he could find. The facts be dammed.

The facts are that Brown was an 18 year old young man. A young man that had just robbed a store and pushed around the owner trying to protect his business. Brown had drugs in his system. He and a friend were - incredibly - walking down the middle of the street right after committing a crime. When a policeman rightly ordered him to the sidewalk Brown disobeyed. When confronted, Brown became belligerent. He struck the policeman and went for his gun. After the gun went off in the police car, Brown ran. The policeman attempted to apprehend him. Brown turned around and charged Wilson. The cop did the only thing he could do when facing a man larger than him who had just tried to take his gun away.

Michael Brown did all the wrong things when dealing with the police. He paid for his mistakes with his life. Any person in the cops shoes would have done the same or they would have placed their own life in danger. No one should expect a law enforcement officer to allow themselves to get beat up and potentially killed.

Americans need to stop using race as an excuse to hate each other. Not every crime that occurs between a black and white person is a racial incident. Some are, but most are not.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Others claimed he paid for the items he left the store with.

Well his pal that was with him admits that they did steal the items. I kind of think he would know better than anyone else and that he would also have no reason to lie about that fact.

Interesting, not one person has addressed my question of why a scared unarmed man, running away, having heard bullets whizzing past him, would suddenly turn around and suicide charge his attacker.

Black, white or Asian, it makes no sense.

Actual I did address it. Brown is the only person that could have answered that question, so it is still a useless question to ask anybody else.

People black, white or Asian often do things that don't make sense. Oh and there weren't bullets whizzing past him until AFTER he turned around.

and if he moved closer a stun gun could of been used

So 5petals, how long does it take to holster a gun then pull a stun gun and then aim and fire the stun gun compared to the time to run 20 or so feet?

The case never made it to trial, so nobody got to question wilson.

Sure they did. Didn't you hear about the Grand Jury?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Its murder and a disgrace. The American cops are a disgrace and there are so many angry and redneck cops in there police force. This ant the only case of murder and cops just shooting and murdering people.

Worse than the cops is the legal system that gives them sanction to murder citizens with impunity. As one trial attorney put it: "My dad was a prosecutor. I'm an attorney. I worked in the DA's office. I've never seen a prosecutor work so hard to exonerate a killer."

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Somehow, some posters here believe a citizen has some ethical or moral right to try to grab Officer Wilson's gun.

A more careful thought process would include Brown's actions. Specifically, wrestling with the Officer in an attempt to take the gun. Brown's DNA was on the weapon and nearly all witnesses confirmed Brown was fighting with the Officer through the window of the car.

Here's a suggestion, read the factual account supported by witnesses. Brown wasn't an innocent bystander minding his own business. Brown, a six foot four adult, aggressively attacked without cause and the Officer responded correctly, legally and morally.

If some posters want an issue, they would be better served studying the amazing story of Trayvon Martin slain by a stalker with no authority who was told by police to stop stalking the innocent child walking home to his Dad's house.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Let's look at that. Brown had been shot in the hand while still attacking the officer in the car. The grand jury believed the attack was still under way based on "hearing from 60 witnesses"

Please, don't get brain-dead on us here. Use a little common sense. Few, if any, of the "60 witnesses" actually saw what was going on at the car. Fact. You have no earthly idea what the jury believed about any specific piece of evidence. How reliable is Wilson's testimony? He says himself he became like a "5-year-old" during the alleged attack. Do you trust 5-year-olds?

Look at Wilson's face. Does it bear signs of a "brutal" attack?

1 ( +4 / -3 )

No, it's called a riot when 15+ buildings were burnt to the grounds, along with several cars and countless lootings.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

It all boils down to that old joke:

Question: What do you call a man with a gun? Answer: Sir!

This has no bearing on race but simply on making the right decisions at the right time. It appears Mr. Brown made a long series of bad decisions which resulted in his death. If you are unarmed and are dealing with a person who is carrying a deadly weapon you need to be cautious regardless of wether that person is authorised to do so or is a member of some law enforcement agency. It's purely common sense as well as indisputably logical. Mr Brown had no intention of respecting the fact that he was dealing with another human being who was armed. Had he recognised this danger and adjusted his attitude towards it accordingly he would simply be answering questions in the Police office regarding a possible theft and his name would never have appeared in newspaper print. It is irrelevant if you have no respect for authority or those who dispense it, when you are unarmed and you face another human being who is armed you need to adjust your attitude until you are in a safer environment to enforce your rights should you feel they have been violated. It appears Mr. Brown ignored these fundamental rules of self preservation and sadly ended up paying the ultimate price from those decisions. There is no doubt he had the power to change the course of the events of that day right up until the fatal shooting took place. Remember, that the person who shot him regardless of how or why must now wrestle with that fact for the rest of their lives. So many lives affected from something that should not have happened.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Great news. There was no way he was going to get indicted, he was innocent. Glad they didn't bow to the ignorant masses who believe that a thug is a martyr.

0 ( +23 / -23 )

The diseased minds who back this Brown thug would respond much differently if they were at the receiving end.

Speak for yourself. I wouldn't be impressed, and I would think the kid should be in jail. But there is no way I consider summary execution in the streets an appropriate response unless an officer is in immediate physical danger.

0 ( +9 / -9 )

there is a audio tape on YouTube and you can clearly hear Wilson heard about the robbery

Do you have a link? I cannot find any tape on Youtube of Wilson being advised of the robbery.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

AiserX

So this young man (great way of painting him as some harmless person) whom was tall and very well built

You forgot the key element - very black.

robbed a convenience store

Allegedly. Others claimed he paid for the items he left the store with. I don't recall him being arrested, indicted, tried, and convicted of this crime...?

refused to stand down to the warning of an officer

According to the shooter, not to the eyewitnesses

charged and assaulted the officer and tried to take his gun away

Did you see the pictures of the brutal, brutal beating that officer Wilson took? He looked like he got bit by a mosquito. A small one. Some assault.

does not justify his shooting

Nope. Nothing that transpired justified his shooting. And don't say you know otherwise, because you don't.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

http://youtu.be/Y-HkNxxLvSA

I think someone just faked it - the police themselves said that the officer didn't know about the convenience store incident. Someone else just made this up to back up their argument.

Yeah and Obama said that the people generally like his ideas, but were angry about Democrat politicians. Or that Gruber was the main architect of Obamacare, don't want to believe all the nutty things he bundled and lied to get this true. You are free to believe whatever you want, there is NO way that you can prove the tape isn't authentic, if you can't, then it means you just don't want to listen and avoid the facts and that's ok.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Lots of dog-whistle quotes on here, for those who are inclined to see society a certain way....

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Shanique Smith:

" There is no justice for Blacks in the US. Even if the police had just walked up to the youth and shot him in the head in full view of a thousand onlookers he would still have been acquitted. "

That is quite a grand statement. Have you reviewed all court cases to arrive at that? And regarding the current case, have you seen the same evidence that jury has seen? Or did you just form a judgment based on some newspaper reports?

Afaic, I was not there so I have no special information. But I would definitely give more weight to a considered grand jury judgement than to mob rule. As for the mob "decision", did that include any other factors than the race of the parties involved? I.e. would a white cop have ANY chance to be declared innocent by the mob? You tell us.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Not necessarily yabits. He had just been assualted, no matter how minor, he had just been involved in a shooting, he had just killed a person. Don't you think it is possible that his thought process would not be exactly the same as your is while you are safely sitting in front of your computer?

Go and read Wilson's testimony to the grand jury for the first time -- the only thing he claims is on his mind once he claims he's going back to apprehend a suspected robber is buying off a minute of time because he says he knows there are other units in the area that will get right there. This is what he's claiming.

So, what does he do? Does he treat the person he's later claiming is a suspected robber as though he might be armed? Remember, there are two men walking -- just as there were two men described in the store robbery. (He's not going to wait the minute for backup?) No, he reverses his vehicle and puts it right smack-dab next to the two men. Can Wilson really be that stupid? Or is he handling the situation more like two slacker/jaywalkers who just mouthed off to him?

The first two officers arriving on the scene describe exactly how Wilson regarded them -- as jaywalkers, not robbery suspects.

Now, as for his thought process, he had enough wits, after putting himself right in the middle of his own situation, to run after Brown. If he was firing at Brown not in full control of his faculties -- if his thought process was impaired -- that might well indicate wrongful death. Maybe his impaired though process caused him to imagine Brown was charging him. But he sure ran after Brown as though he was sure he could handle him.

The way people have been describing Brown, just one serious punch from him should have caved the side of Wilson's face in. (It would have been better for Brown if his first punch could have been fatal.) But no -- barely a mark on him.

Bottom line: No honest, decent citizen could look at this complete kangaroo court as something that could ever deliver justice. A decent attorney would have torn Wilson's story to shreds on the stand in front of a jury. This also totally incriminates the Ferguson police department for not publishing an incident report within 24 hours of the event as is standard procedure. Like organized criminals, they were using the system to protect one of their own after murdering a citizen.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

But at a trial Wilson wouldn't have to take the stand.

Right. He wouldn't.

But a really good prosecuting attorney would be painting a picture for the jury! For example, he'd subpoena the two cops and have them make their statements, building a strong case that Wilson was completely clueless about the robbery. That is only reason for dealing with Brown was over jaywalking.

And that 90 seconds after a jaywalking stop, Brown would lying dead in the middle of the street. In other words, he'd be totally free to paint Wilson as the gutless piece of slime that he is -- an incompetent, trigger-happy nitwit who brought the eyes of the world on this nondescript little town.

But that's really the problem here. No one can expect a lying no-account like McCollough to mount a vigorous prosecution against a lousy cop the way he'd mount one against a gang-banger or petty criminal. It's McCollough and his tribe that ought to be on the defense.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

3 white cops beat a white homeless man to death in Fullerton California on video the officer put on gloves and was heard on the recording saying he was going to beat the homeless white guy ass. The white cops were acquitted white people rioted but it got little tv attention. One thing in America if you are a white cop in America and you have a gun and a batch you don't go to jail the law does not put the law in jail they protect and serve their way even if it means killing people regardless of their race! Most people here are spilling racist posts they don't have a clue people they think they are the selected ones! Ferguson is just ground zero the worst has yet to come especially when the US now have 5 million illegals competing for jobs against American citizens. Let's see what the posters complain about then.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@probie Wishing you a happy thanksgiving in your warm trailer in the middle of the Ozarks!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Cops in the US are a joke the majority are straight out of the military high school education and are probably cops because their parents were one. Total neptism blacks don't become cops because if they do they are discriminated againt in the ranks how could you go out and protect the law when you are fighting it with a badge and a gun! Dirty cops in NY,Philly, Chicago quick to pull the trigger and plant a throw away on you. Then its your story against theres. Last year 4 cops beat a homeless white man to death just for sitting on the curb the beating was recorded they to got acquitted. White folks in Fullerton California rioted but guess what its ok for them to display their anger but when blacks do it all the hate comes out! Last year Mexican man shit dead in the middle of the street by a white cop he too got acquitted. ok haters go ahead bring the comments on the proof is the cops are out of control! The law does not punish the law when you are protecting the law with a badge and a gun.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"Can we get rid of this obsession with race?"

Let's look at that. Some are still rioting in Ferguson, and in some twenty-five cities, so reported, across the States. Fueled by rumor and prejudice of their own making, these protesters have continued to meet the decision of the grand jury with violence, their brand of justice, as Michael Brown proved when confronted by Officer Wilson over a pack of smokes.

If the truth is the question, the answer is still Michael Brown decided to fight a cop over a theft of smokes from a local market. That's not race, that's just stupid. So, race aside? Fighting an Officer is never OK in civil society. But it was a choice Brown made. That's not race, that was Michael Brown's own stupidity and that's what the evidence showed.
0 ( +2 / -2 )

"Mr. Brown ignored these fundamental rules of self preservation and sadly ended up paying the ultimate price from those decisions"

Dukeleto Nov

And, no doubt:

All anyone cares about is a safe neighborhood. Mr. Brown was not making a safer community having shoved a store clerk moments earlier while lifting a pack of smokes: shown on video.

So please, exactly as you suggest, there were multiple points of prevention of this senseless waste of life. Mr. Brown took every opportunity to make this horrible event worse than it ever had to be. That's called responsibility; Mr. Brown still has that responsibility having created this mess,

0 ( +1 / -1 )

He did, there is a audio tape on YouTube and you can clearly hear Wilson heard about the robbery.

No there isn't.

If you try to wrestle away and possible shoot me with a firearm and my life is in danger and hangs in the balance, YES, of course.

Yes, but that doesn't extend to when the suspect is 100ft away. The officer's life was not in danger at this point.

No more compared to other sane countries.

1) The above statement makes the incorrect presumption that the U.S. Is sane, and can therefore be compared with sane countries.

2) It's just wrong anyways. The U.S. prioritized the 'right' to possess guns over the lives of children. 'Sane' countries don't do this. By definition prioritizing guns over children's lives makes a country not sane.

-1 ( +9 / -10 )

Again, if the grand jury members voted 8 to 4 to indict, the end result would have been the same. That's the system, and it's a very high hurdle when the D.A. isn't acting like a D.A.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

It is the fact that he shot an unarmed man from 100 feet away, when his person was under no imminent threat.

You seem to have no clue at all about this case. If the above had been true Wilson would have been indicted. But obviously enough people felt that this was not the case. They realized that Brown, the one who swatted away a store clerk, then approached him with obvious violent intent, was about to do the same thing to Wilson.

Since you seem to think the first amendment doesn't matter, does this mean that you also think it's ok to scrap the second amendment?

Can you read this sentence to yourself before posting it.

Its not a requirement for this forum, but at the least, you need to make some sense.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

No surprise. Here is the perfect crime in the US. White cops kills unarmed Black man and then pleads self-defense. There was plenty of evidence but it is scary to indite a cop.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Times have changed... We are all people put the issue of race to bed....I have friends from all parts of the world ....

But a WHITE cop shooting a BLACK man sells more newspapers! Totally sick! It goes in many direction too.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

There is no justice for Blacks in the US. Even if the police had just walked up to the youth and shot him in the head in full view of a thousand onlookers he would still have been acquitted.The people were right about the prosecutor. As a prosecutor most of his arguments were in favor of the accused. At least they didn't say the murderer was innocent, just that the prosecutor didn't do enough to unravel what really took place. I wonder if there were nine blacks and three whites on the grand jury with the same evidence, would the decision be the same?

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Ah, so these 2 officers are psychic and KNOW what Wilson knew?

No Mikey, if Wilson's intent was -- as he later claimed -- to try to apprehend Brown for the store robbery, that would have naturally been the first thing out of his mouth. Or, at least, he would have mentioned it if that was his primary intent.

Instead, he just kills a kid in the street and only talks about jaywalking when the officers arrive?!! (What kind of moron actually believes he'd leave out the part about the robbery?) He doesn't tell them his intent was to apprehend a suspected robber? He's a liar. (And anyone who'd believe him is a total idiot.)

And at a trial Twelve out of 12 have to approve. What's you point?

You really don't get it, do you, Mikey? If 12 out of 12 don't approve on either guilt or innocence, a retrial is called for.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Instead, he just kills a kid in the street and only talks about jaywalking when the officers arrive?!!

Nope, he got pummeled and then shot him and rightfully so after the fact.

(What kind of moron actually believes he'd leave out the part about the robbery?) He doesn't tell them his intent was to apprehend a suspected robber? He's a liar. (And anyone who'd believe him is a total idiot.)

Yabits, keep digging buddy, keep on digging.

@Shanique

That's the difference with blacks called to duty; color doesn't mar their sense of justice.

Of course not, that's why they decided to let a murder go, because he was trying so hard to find the people that killed his beloved wife and her friend. OJ the man with the heart of gold.

Blacks always think about color, always. 93% voted for Obama and many of them, including Colin Powell admitted that the reason for voting for this guy was simply because he was Black, that is racist pure and simple.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

yabitsNov. 26, 2014 - 06:33AM JST Brown would lying dead in the middle of the street.

Actually, Brown way lying dead in the middle of the street for 4-1/2 hours. Normal procedure for police in Ferguson? Too bad nobody could cross examine all the evidence to the grand jury. You might have second or third opinions. Wilson should've been cross examine more carefully. Looks like grand jury works with the cops.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Too bad nobody could cross examine all the evidence to the grand jury. You might have second or third opinions. Wilson should've been cross examine more carefully. Looks like grand jury works with the cops.

Yes, the grand jury works with the cops. They believe their mission is to help "put the bad guys away." Almost by their own definition, a cop can't be a bad guy -- unless, that is, the police and DA are bringing charges against him or her. But the DA never brought any charges against Wilson. Has actions told the grand jury: "You choose. I can't find any that fit. You're on your own."

If you're a black person in America, the standard is that you have to be an absolute angel. There must never be the slightest human frailty or succumbing to temptation held against you ever in your whole life. If you can meet that standard, then maybe, just maybe, you'd stand a chance against pieces of slime like George Zimmerman or Darren Wilson. Even if you're an angel, the odds are still against you. They'll find 50 reasons or more to blow you away in 90 seconds and completely absolve themselves of the crime.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

This story got blown way out of proportion - thanks to the media.

I wasn't there and wasn't on the jury so I can't really say if the right decision was made. What I do know is that Brown's actions were enough for Wilson to react the way he did. Did Brown deserve to be shot to death? I don't think so. I think Wilson could have shot him in the leg or arm or something. But this goes beyond Wilson. It's the whole American police system. They are taught to shoot to kill. Until that changes, stories like this will continue for years and years to come.

Wilson might not have gotten indicted but his career is damaged already. Who knows if he'll still continue to be a police officer. Who knows if he'll even continue to live in Ferguson.

I hope the Brown family find peace somehow.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

"For those who say he should have shot to maim, when police fire, it is to kill and not maim. If you have never shot a gun before, in order for you to aim for a limb on a moving target, you have to be a pretty good shot, and have time to aim"

Could of used non lethal technology. The state should always take the higher position and preserve life. If the case would of went to trial, a good defense would of argued as to why he shot him in the face. If this is the only alternative, then some sort of training and reform is badly needed. Brown was easily in range to take aim at a leg, and if he moved closer a stun gun could of been used. If you cant sight from that distance, what kind of officer are you? The case never made it to trial, so nobody got to question wilson.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

The system has no problem putting people in jail for relatively minor crimes - drug possession, shoplifting. These are crimes of poverty and desperation. But no problem punishing the poor and desperate, no problem bringing them to answer for their actions. But a white cop shooting an unarmed man, one who was at a distance from him at that moment, he is not even asked to explain himself before a jury. Had he shot the boy whilst they were physically tussling for the gun, at that point I might have excused a shot to disable him. But firing 12 times, and to the head? That was extreme force.

Police should be forced to carry stun guns - the fact they are bulky is a minor discomfort compared to a bullet in the head for someone who is not that much of a threat.

Drive-by policing, yelling at people to get on the sidewalks is provocative. Death penalty with no hearing for perhaps stealing some cigarillos and walking in the road? The rioting is not helping anything, but you cannot blame people for being angry and frustrated.

This is not democracy, not FOR the people BY the people. It is one rule for "them" and one for the rest of "us", and by "us" I mean anyone the rich, white well educated wo/man in a uniform judges to be lesser then him.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

@lawren

Agreed.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

kcjapan, I'll give Officer Wilson self defense in the car, but outside of the car, it seems he let his anger get the better of him and Brown. To me it appears Wilson killed a surrendering man. Soldiers can't even do that in war. I don't know about you, but officers who abuse their power, and authority, concern me more than cigar thieving thugs.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

"I'll give Officer Wilson self defense in the car, but outside of the car"

Let's look at that. Brown had been shot in the hand while still attacking the officer in the car. The grand jury believed the attack was still under way based on "hearing from 60 witnesses".

If sixty witnesses' testimony convinced the grand jury that Wilson acted as a result of Brown's continued attack there is little more to parse. Officer Wilson was attacked by an adult, without provocation, in the course of investigating theft from a market. Brown attacked and attempted to grab the Officer's weapon. Sixty witnesses answered the grand jury inquiry finding Wilson justified in his acts.

Brown wasn't some hero defending his rights, he was a thief who wanted to kill a cop.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Until the timeline and recreation mapping is made available, every moment after Brown tried to grab Officer Wilson's gun is speculative.

You are claiming everything is speculative, but you're buying every bit of Wilson's story.

Physically capable? Where are Wilson's injuries?

Somewhere there is a 3-D belief Wilson was carelessly shooting Brown to death for no reason.

No. not "no reason." Wilson was a scared "five-year-old" child -- Scared of "the demon." He had a reason; it just wasn't rational.

trying to take the service weapon to turn on the cop..

Again, you're totally buying Wilson's version of the story. Was Brown striking Wilson or going for his gun? Which hand was dong which? Let's say Brown called Wilson a coward (not the word he used), and slammed the door back on him. I would suspect this was the moment Wilson first went for his gun. Wilson is feeding you Brown's intent. As long as the rest of his story checks out, I could take his word for it. But his story doesn't check out.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

bass, the link you gave is not 'a 15-minute tape', it's nearly 2 hours of crackly radio communication, with as far as I can make out nothing about the Brown incident until 12.06 when there is a call for 'help with crowd control' on Canfield Drive - after Brown was already dead. No mention before that as far as I can make out of any reports of a convenience store robbery or any description of anyone the police might be looking for.

Try again.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

So, let the rioting begin! They have been waiting for that for a long time.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

But I would definitely give more weight to a considered grand jury judgement than to mob rule.

The two are not that far apart. King George and his Redcoats knew how systemically fleece and bamboozle the colonists in very genteel and "considered" ways. And they inspired something they certainly referred to as a "mob."

"Considered grand jury judgment" is an oxymoron. "Consideration" can only truly happen when evidence is presented in an unbiased manner, and legal and technical experts are given the chance to cross-examine all testimony relating to the evidence. Finally, when they vote, they don't require 75% agreement.

The Supreme Court has some of the finest legal minds anywhere, and their "considerations" don't require 75% to be in favor, just a simple majority.

Lastly, even the Brits knew it was wrong to provide grand jury protection to officials who have the authority to use deadly force on citizens. Grand juries are supposed to protect citizens from their government, not to provide safe harbor to government employees who murder citizens in the course of their work.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

There is no justice for Blacks in the US.

What a load of nonsense! 50 years ago you could say that, but not now.

Even if the police had just walked up to the youth and shot him in the head in full view of a thousand onlookers he would still have been acquitted.

That would have been cold-blooded murder, then he would have been rightfully convicted it that were determined.

The people were right about the prosecutor. As a prosecutor most of his arguments were in favor of the accused. At least they didn't say the murderer was innocent, just that the prosecutor didn't do enough to unravel what really took place.

What a load of crap, I feel like I'm reliving the OJ Simpson case all over the again. Went through a year of that. OJ didn't do it, but he probably knows who did it, he was framed..Yes, I heard it all.

I wonder if there were nine blacks and three whites on the grand jury with the same evidence, would the decision be the same?

OJ it was a predominately Black Jury that let him, so you tell me.

Lastly, even the Brits knew it was wrong to provide grand jury protection to officials who have the authority to use deadly force on citizens. Grand juries are supposed to protect citizens from their government, not to provide safe harbor to government employees who murder citizens in the course of their work.

How did the Brits get into this???

Yabits, it's over. Wilson is a free man. Nothing you can do or say that is of importance to this case. No matter how you dissect it, analyze it, take it apart with a fine toothed comb, it is over. Here on out, it is irrelevant what anyone thinks.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

@ WilliB

That is quite a grand statement.

The 'grand statement' is not exclusive to this incident. It blankets the multiple murders committed in the name of the law against black men. Even a twelve year old black male is a threat and needs to be wiped from the face of the earth. I am yet to see a white cop charged for murdering a black man. Why can they shoot, but not fatally or taser and apprehend white offenders but murder black offenders?

Have you reviewed all court cases to arrive at that? And regarding the current case, have you seen the same evidence that jury has seen? Or did you just form a judgment based on some newspaper reports?

I have an idea of what the jury saw. The prosecutor allowed the witnesses to be discredited without putting up much of a fight.There were 12 people who made up the grand jury. Are you confident that all twelve agreed to indict the cop? If just one member of the jury thought that he should be charged then there is room for doubt. Think about it, according to the man-made law, if eight said he should face charges, and four opposed he would be indicted. And he is.....

@bass4funk

OJ it was a predominately Black Jury that let him, so you tell me

That's the difference with blacks called to duty; color doesn't mar their sense of justice.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

A decent attorney would have torn Wilson's story to shreds on the stand in front of a jury.

Maybe.

But at a trial Wilson wouldn't have to take the stand.

And at a trial all of the prosecution witnesses would have faced cross-examination. And some of the evidence seen by the grand jury may have been excluded. And most telling of all, the defense would have had a hand in selecting the jury meaning having one out of 12 voting not guilty would be an almost certainty. Especially when the randomly chosen grand jury had at least four out of 12 with no cross-examination and no defense presentation.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Evidence now shows Brown may of beat Wilson and charged him, at any rate, Wilson could of used non lethal force or shot him in the leg or kneecap. Police caliber rounds can easily do such damage Im sure. he instead shot him in the face. A 9mm round to the femur would surely break it. Wilson let emotional reasoning interfer with his role as a rep of the state. He should of went to trial, on that charge of manslaughter. The defense could of challenged the state on that crucial part of the incident alone; why did he choose to shoot him in the face, when the suspect had no weapon?

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Exactly, Yabits, I agree. There is barely a mark on Wilson, slightly red on a cheek and the back of the neck.

If Wilson had shot Brown when they were struggling for the gun, self defence would have been reasonable, but he shot Brown at a distance. I dont know about you but if I was running and someone shot at me I would turn around to face the attack.

KcJapan, if you are asserting that Brown was on a copkilling mission, just how was he going to do that? He had no knife, no gun, just his bare hands. Surely a man on a mission to kill would have a few tools.

He was the same size as the cop, give or take a few pounds and inches. All he was was a young man who had made a few bad choices that day stealing cigars, and who turned round when a cop started firing at him when he was a distance away from him, and not struggling for the gun. I know you want to defend the police at any cost, but that just doesnt make sense.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

The forensic evidence corroborates his story, along with the witnesses who turned out to be credible.

Let me ask you this question: Who uncovered and collected the "forensic evidence" you speak of? (Wasn't it the county police department with FBI assist? Something easily shared with Wilson to help with his story.) But here is one key point of Wilson's story that can't be proven or disproven by the physical evidence (with a possible exception) -- and it is critical: Whether or not Brown was approaching slowly in an act of surrender, or trying to make a rush.)

Wilson claims he was scared of some mythical "fatal punch" -- and claims that is why he kept firing.

What the evidence shows is a trace of Brown's blood around 23 feet past where his body eventually lay dead. That is between 3 and 4 body lengths. The other physical evidence that pertains is the audio recording of the gunshots. The simple question is this: How far in time are those shots dispersed from beginning to end -- and how long would it take to cover that distance if he was running/charging, and how long would it take to move 20~25 feet at a slower pace? Tell me where in any of the testimony where this simple question was asked? Seriously, is it in there anywhere?

Finally, a really competent DA could have used this information to support a case. If Brown had been running/charging, he would have covered much more ground in the 10 seconds that the shots are dispersed. A charging person can easily cover 50 yards (150 feet) in 10 seconds. Brown only managed 25 feet. Something's not right with Wilson's story. The physical evidence appears to support those eyewitnesses who say Brown turned and walked, was hit by the first volley of shots, then stumbling forward a bit more on his way down to the ground, where the top of his head was exposed to the line of fire. Three to four body-lengths, that's all we're talking about.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

It's a sad day to be an American. White cop gets away with murdering a kid and white folks celebrate.

-3 ( +9 / -12 )

Nope

http://youtu.be/Y-HkNxxLvSA

Whatever makes you think that's real? Can you show any official acknowledgement by officials that it is true? I think someone just faked it - the police themselves said that the officer didn't know about the convenience store incident. Someone else just made this up to back up their argument.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

You forgot the key element - very black.

Only to the race agitators

Allegedly. Others claimed he paid for the items he left the store with. I don't recall him being arrested, indicted, tried, and convicted of this crime...?

And the majority of people, especially in the store, they said, he didn't, I will go with the people in the store.

According to the shooter, not to the eyewitnesses

The Grand Jury said, otherwise.

Did you see the pictures of the brutal, brutal beating that officer Wilson took? He looked like he got bit by a mosquito. A small one. Some assault

I do mixed Martial Arts and I've been knocked around and l landed in the hospital twice with NO visible injury, those are actually THE most dangerous injuries that a person can sustain. Looks can be very deceiving. The blows don't have to look severe to be severe.

Nope. Nothing that transpired justified his shooting. And don't say you know otherwise, because you don't.

Neither do you. None of us were their, but from GJ seems like it was justified.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Everyone here has an opinion some are angry because they are certain that the officer gunned down in cold blood an innocent man. They are angry that the grand jury didn't give them the verdict they wanted.

But, the grand jury saw more of the facts of this case than anyone else. They saw, heard and read everything that happened and they came back with the correct verdict. If you don't like it don't worry, President Obama will most likely order his justice department to trump up some charges against the officer or he might just pass another Executive Order ordering the arrest of the officer.

Now, that being said here is some facts about the case told moment after it happened. This came out right after and no, it wasn't doctored.

Here is a video and audio of what happen, an eyewitness begins to tell what he saw at around 1:00 into the tape. You get a real idea of what happen and what was happening not some bunk told by a convicted liar. Here is also a transcript of what the men were saying.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfYeceyTEQk

Man 1: 'How'd he get from there to there?'

Eyewitness: 'Because he ran, the police was still in the truck - cause he was like over the truck'

Eyewitness: 'But him and the police was both in the truck, then he ran - the police got out and ran after him'

Eyewitness: 'Then the next thing I know he doubled back toward him cus - the police had his gun drawn already on him'

Man 1: 'Oh, the police got his gun'

Eyewitness: 'The police kept dumpin on him, and I'm thinking the police kept missing - he like - be like - but he kept coming toward him (crosstalk)'

Eyewitness: 'Police fired shots - the next thing I know - the police was missing'

Man 1: 'The Police?'

Eyewitness: 'The Police shot him'

Man 1: 'Police?'

Eyewitness: 'The next thing I know ... I'm thinking ... the dude started running ... then something about he took it from him'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2727321/Conversation-recorded-bystander-just-moments-Michael-Brown-shooting-casts-doubt-claims-teen-surrendered-Officer-Darren-Wilson.html

WilliBNov. 25, 2014 - 05:53PM JST So, let the rioting begin! They have been waiting for that for a long time.

And that is exactly what many people were waiting for, a chance to riot and loot whatever they can. Too bad the governor didn't give a shoot to kill order against any and all looters. But, what do you expect from a Democrat.

5petalsNov. 25, 2014 - 06:29PM JST dude should of got Man 2 or suspended sentence. He took somebodys life, plain and simple. Anyhoot, he will end up a security guard in another state Im sure.

There is a huge difference between opinions and facts in this case.

The grand jury actually saw all the evidence in this case. While your opinion is based on news reports and personal beliefs.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Again, the grand jury could have decided 8-4 that the shooting was not justified and the result would have been the same.

Yes it would have been. Because that is what the laws say.

not to the eyewitnesses

Well if you only listen to the eyewitnesses you agree with and ignore the eyewitnesses that say Brown refused to stop.

Nine out of 12 have to approve.

And at a trial Twelve out of 12 have to approve. What's you point?

Both asserted from Wilson's statements that he didn't know anything about the store robbery.

Ah, so these 2 officers are psychic and KNOW what Wilson knew?

turns around and charges the officer. Why? Why is this happening?

As none of us are Michael Brown we can't answer that question, so why even ask it? Why?

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

yabitsNov. 26, 2014 - 01:36AM JST Go and read Wilson's testimony to the grand jury for the first time

We all truly appreciate your assistance in providing us all your unbiased snicker take on what happened using the transcripts. But, I must ask, why aren't you going into eyewitness accounts of what happened? Or how about going into what the autopsy's final conclusion? Could it be that you won't because then you would have to face reality?

Since you have been providing us with all your blow by blow assessments of what Officer Wilson said and not providing us a link, I will do it for you. After reading your posts and reading the remarks of Officer Wilson and seeing that both just don't seem to match for some reason. I begin to wonder, are you adding something to spice it up for us? Well, if you are or aren't the folks here can judge for themselves.

Here is officer Wilson's testimony.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/11/25/366519644/ferguson-docs-officer-darren-wilsons-testimony

Did Michael Brown and his buddy (a convicted liar) attack the officer in his car? Yes, there is evidence.

http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/1371270-2014-5143-microscopic-02.html

Was Michael Brown shot at close range in the police car? Yes, his blood was found in the police truck.

http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/1371271-2014-5143-microscopic-01.html

Was Michael Brown shot in the back? No.

http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/1371273-2014-5143-autopsy-report.html

Were Michael Browns hands up when he was shot? His friends say they were while other witnesses say they weren't.

Now, if folks want to take the time and go through the testimonial here is a link....

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/11/25/366507379/ferguson-docs-how-the-grand-jury-reached-a-decision#docs

Hmmm, facts are starting to be separated from fiction.

lucabrasiNov. 25, 2014 - 07:46PM JST Lots of dog-whistle quotes on here, for those who are inclined to see society a certain way....

Of course, when folks disagree with your opinion and the opinions of the Left they must be racists. Most of us understand where you are coming from and most see through the hypocrisy. Sometimes people who disagree with you do it because they look at the facts. The facts in this case are as large as bright as the sun. But, when someone only sees what they want to see, well they will never see the light.

Facts are hard to accept when they contradict people's core beliefs and that always leads to anger.

kaimycahlNov. 26, 2014 - 01:47AM JST The United Snakes of America will fall!

Isn't that always what the far left wants.....Thank you for providing your true inspiration for your hate.

Shanique SmithNov. 26, 2014 - 01:05AM JST The 'grand statement' is not exclusive to this incident. It blankets the multiple murders committed in the name of the law against black men.

But, it is. This case is about Michael Brown and how he died and why. It is not about other men. To make it so is wrong and biased. In other words you don't care if the Officer was justified, you are mad as hell and don't care for what was legal and what wasn't.

PandabelleNov. 25, 2014 - 05:08PM JST robbed a convenience store Allegedly. Others claimed he paid for the items he left the store with. I don't recall him being arrested, indicted, tried, and convicted of this crime...?

Yeah, every time I go shopping I too reach around the counter and take the products I just paid for and then bruise up the clerk when he trying to stop me from leaving. Reality calling, but it seems that you missed that call long ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2z5-H8NSGA

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

I don't know why you are not being honest about this JoeBigs.

Here's a quote from your own link from Wilson's testimony: "Wilson said that's when he noticed that the man whom he later learned was Brown had cigarillos in his hand, and Johnson was wearing a black shirt. He said that "that's when it clicked ... [that] these are the two men from the stealing."

At that moment there was no altercation. If Wilson is telling the truth, he's got two suspects in sight and he's alone. If he did call for backup, he's claiming they will arrive in minutes. Did he report he had two robbery suspects in sight? Or did he report he was going to engage two men on Canfield for no reason specified in his transmission?

He reports knowing that other units were looking for the suspects. Why did he not let dispatch know he thinks he's spotted them? Why not? Because he's lying. He's so completely focused on their jaywalking and lack of respect for this authority.

His grandiose exaggeration: Brown outweighs Wilson, but they're both very tall -- that he felt like a 5-year old against Hulk Hogan (I am at least as tall as Wilson and would never describe myself that way in an encounter with a guy my height who was as heavy as Brown, who was clearly out of shape and couldn't run more than a couple hundred feet before getting out of breath. And his describing Brown as a "demon," says a lot about Wilson's perceptions and state of mind. (These are words coming from Wilson's own mouth.)

Interesting, not one person has addressed my question of why a scared unarmed man, running away, having heard bullets whizzing past him, would suddenly turn around and suicide charge his attacker.

If you watch some of the videos of cops shooting suspects, there's a common pattern that emerges. So many of these cops are trigger happy. They're like frightened 5-year-old kids. Brown charging Wilson was all in Wilson's racist imagination. He thought a "demon" was after him. Not an out-of-breath overweight kid who just tired himself out running.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

For those of you who want to see how crazy English words are misused get a load of this. When white people March it's called a demonstration when people of color march it's called a riot!!!

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

The Brown family has concurred that their son did not receive justice. So yes, listen to them.

Nobody knows how the secret tribunal broke down their decision. There are 12 on the panel and it would have required nine of them to agree to indict. So, conceivably, a jury that voted 8 against 4 to indict, the result would have been the same: No indictment.

Can people imagine what would happen if the prosecutor (the DA) sent every single case to a grand jury without recommending any charges? (A prosecutor's main job is to win indictments.) By not recommending charges -- which is unusual -- it meant that Wilson's case was very specially treated. This so-called "system of justice" had the scales tipped in Wilson's favor.

I was most interested in hearing about the extent of Wilson's injuries. What McCollough described sounded insignificant. I think he used the word "redness." Perhaps more details will be released now that the county's case is over.

I was also surprised at McCollough stating the distance between the body and the vehicle was more like 150 feet. That's quite a distance.

It would be fitting that some of the jurors go public with how things broke down inside the secret panel.

-4 ( +11 / -15 )

The DA is a Democrat in this case.

That is something only you would find significant, Ape.

Here's something relevant in McCollough's past: "In 2000, in the so-called "Jack in the box" case, two undercover officers shot and killed two unarmed black men. In 2001, they told a grand jury that the suspects tried to escape arrest and then drove toward them; the jury declined to indict. McCulloch told the public that every witness had testified to confirm this version, but journalists reviewed the previously secret grand jury tapes and found that McCulloch lied: only three of 13 officers testified that the car was moving forward. A subsequent federal investigation found that men were unarmed and that their car had not moved forward when the officers fired 21 shots; nevertheless, it decided that the shooting was justified."

Again, the grand jury could have decided 8-4 that the shooting was not justified and the result would have been the same.

-4 ( +8 / -12 )

Good. There was a video of Thug Brown strong arming a smaller convenience store owning and stealing from him.

So you think summary execution would have been justified as such? (And if the officer had even known about the theft).

-4 ( +8 / -12 )

Yes, but that doesn't extend to when the suspect is 100ft away. The officer's life was not in danger at this point.

Supposedly more, but that's the distance between the suspect and the officer's vehicle, not the officer himself. Thankfully the jury considered all of the events leading up to Brown's death and didn't look at the distance between a car and a body and jump to a conclusion like many of the sherlocks here. The officer rightly went after the suspect after being attacked, and the suspect failed to surrender in time. End of story.

-4 ( +5 / -9 )

I suggest doing some reading on this case before making ill-informed comments.

And I suggest that you provide an argument if you want to make one, before making ill-informed comments.

The difference between us is that I had already done what you are suggesting, while you haven't done what I am.

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

@Dukeleto It all boils down to that old joke:

Question: What do you call a man with a gun? Answer: MURDERED/KILLER

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

But there is no way I consider summary execution in the streets an appropriate response unless an officer is in immediate physical danger.

I'm confused SL so forigive me for my ignorance but since you are from the States, you are more knowledgeable about the due process which took place but isn't that what the Grand Jury decided?

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

Whoa.

Ferguson in flames. "There goes the neighborhood" despite the plea from Brown' family.

Shame on the race hustlers and the uncivilized followers.

-5 ( +6 / -11 )

@ yabits: The DA is a Democrat in this case.

What does that have to do with anything?

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

12 bullets are obsessive force. He was not armed and clearly if he runs off and doesn't turn around and shoot, this cop knew he was unarmed. The cop is a redneck all they way and murdered this guy.

Even if this kid has a gun, odd that the cop would put 12 bullets into him. I have seen shoot outs and 12 bullets for an unarmed guy is murder. His new one he did the runner that he did not have a gun and he chanced him, then put 11 more bullets into him, why he did nothing at all.

It's 100% murder and the proof is all there, let alone the fact he has pumped 12 bullets into a guy just standing there.

I am thinking some of the witnesses are even planted in there. We need camera footage from any place with cameras to make sure the people there 100% were there.

At the end of the day it doesn't matter if he had his hands up or down, he never pulled out a gun or went for one. Even if he flinches you don't put 12 bullets into someone. You should stop shooting at a point. There was know fight back, but the cop giving a chance, knowing he was unarmed and never try to pull out a gun at all when being chased. He was cornered "for say" and the cap popped 12 bullets into him. Its beyond murder here. He was never was armed, then got to him and put a massive 12 bullets or so into him unarmed.

Its murder and a disgrace. The American cops are a disgrace and there are so many angry and redneck cops in there police force. This ant the only case of murder and cops just shooting and murdering people.

Once he did the runner after being shot, the cops only seen a guy running away, not pulling out a gun to shooting back. He was then surrounded and didn't run off. That cop new her never had a gun or tried to shoot at him as he did the runner "after being shot" so new he was unarmed. He then decided to put 12 bullets into him. Cops don't hold down the trigger as bullets go everywhere.He has to fire in small, short bursts, but yet has still put a massive amount of bullets on him. Its beyond obsessive force and really is murder.

America is a joke and there not helping out a fellow cop but a murderer that 100% murdered that black guy deliberately. He is 100% guilty and the proof is buy looking at all of it, not just people saying his hands were up.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

The white guilt in some of these comments is making my teeth hurt.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

Good? Good? You think the death of a young man is good? Even if he did commit that robbery he was not arrested or tried or convicted for it, just executed.

I don't know how anyone can say this is "good". Even if you think he was a bad young man and a danger, do you think being shot in the street is how a civilized society should be dispensing justice?

There's no "good" in this situation to be had, anywhere.

Yes certainly good. I think you don't understand. Or you are too politically correct to see the reality of what happen in this scene. So this young man (great way of painting him as some harmless person) whom was tall and very well built robbed a convenience store, refused to stand down to the warning of an officer, charged and assaulted the officer and tried to take his gun away does not justify his shooting? In a civilized society it CERTAINLY does. In an uncivilized society, you get away with assault right after a robbery. But hey in your world I'm sure this would be the opposite.

-10 ( +3 / -13 )

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