Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion:
As has been widely anticipated for weeks, the Ferguson MO Grand Jury has DECLINED to indict Police Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of black adult Michael Brown.
This result has not been unexpected, as the overwhelming weight of both the eye witness and forensic evidence has been entirely consistent with Officer Wilson’s narrative of self-defense, including:
- Wilson being attacked by Brown and his accomplice Dorian Johnson in his patrol vehicle
- a struggle over Wilson’s service pistol
- shots fired inside the vehicle (which forensic examination confirmed caused a contact gun shot wound to Brown’s right hand)
- the temporary flight of Brown upon those initial gunshots
- the return of the 292 pound Brown re-engage the much smaller officer
- the firing of additional defensive rounds as necessary to halt Brown’s violence
In contrast, the narratives put forward that might have favored an indictment were serially changed as each was proven inconsistent with the evidence:
- Brown was shot in the back (there are no gun shot wounds to Brown’s back, and contrary to bulk of eye witness testimony)
- Brown had his hands raised in surrender (inconsistent with forensics and bulk of eye witness testimony)
- Brown was on his knees when Wilson simply executed him (inconsistent with forensics and bulk of eye witness testimony)
Underpinning all narratives of malice on the part of Wilson is, of course, allegations of racism, both on the part of Wilson and the Ferguson Police Department generally. It had been widely reported, however, thatmore than a half-dozen black witnesses testified before the Grand Jury in a manner consistent with Wilson’s narrative of self-defense.
The Grand Jury’s own racial makeup is 9 white members and 3 black members. It takes a super-majority of 9 members to return an indictment.
We here at FA represented this accurately. Curt beat me to this.
I am watching the Q&A and I am astonished at the stupidness of the questions as well as the ignorance.
God almighty! It’s as though the idiots in the room asking the questions weren’t listening to the facts presented. They had these questions ready in advance and did not alter them. Amazing.
Of course Obama makes this about himself
@drjohn:
Did you hear one of the reporters in the room shout at the Prosecuting Attorney how he would be able to sleep tonight?
This is what happens to a town when 50% of the population are single parent households. Detroit, and Ferguson, examples of the welfare state.
Looting and burning police cars as acts of protest? These idiots just confirmed every negative thought anyone has had about the legitimacy of the Ferguson demonstrations.
@Greg: There are only so many looting days till Xmas.
@Greg: You’re right, Greg
As I have said, what was the solid evidence, aside from suspicions that would naturally arise among those with experiences or bias to have them, to justify anything stronger than gathering and making a statement? In light of the fact that an obviously biased DOJ is doing its own MULTIPLE investigations and has found nothing to leak and support the previous prejudiced views, what indeed is the provocation for ongoing protests, let along violence?
I feel for the mother and father (he was sensible, at least) for losing their son, but perhaps instead of blaming Wilson or Glock or Federal or Ferguson PD or anyone else, they should look to their own attitudes and values. I also suspect the punk Dorian Johnson probably instigated the theft at the store and the assault that got Brown killed.