Attorney General Eric Holder Says DOJ Investigation Into Brown Shooting Will Continue
Eric Holder announced Monday the Department of Justice’s civil rights investigation into the Michael Brown shooting will go forward, after the Ferguson grand jury failed to indict Officer Darren Wilson. Holder maintains the federal investigation has always been separate from the local investigation and will remain so.
After the announcement Monday night that the grand jury in Ferguson did not find probable cause to indict Darren Wilson in the August 9 shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown, Holder released a statement saying the decision does not have any effect on the federal inquiry into potential civil rights violations surrounding the case.
“While the grand jury proceeding in St. Louis County has concluded, the Justice Department’s investigation into the shooting of Michael Brown remains ongoing. Though we have shared information with local prosecutors during the course of our investigation, the federal inquiry has been independent of the local one from the start, and remains so now. Even at this mature stage of the investigation, we have avoided prejudging any of the evidence. And although federal civil rights law imposes a high legal bar in these types of cases, we have resisted forming premature conclusions.”
Two separate federal investigations will continue in the Michael Brown case. Federal prosecutors are investigating whether Office Darren Wilson should face civil rights charges in the case. The DOJ is investigating the policing practices of the police department in Ferguson, which have been widely criticized as being heavy-handed and allegedly unconstitutional.
William Yeomans, a former prosecutor, tells Yahoo News bringing civil rights charges against Wilson will be “tricky” as it is difficult to prove what was in Wilson’s mind at the time and whether the officer was acting out of a reasonable sense of fear when he shot and killed Brown.
In his statement, Attorney General Holder stated although the death of Brown was tragic and some would not agree with the grand jury’s decision, protestors should remember the wishes of Brown’s parents and not resort to violence.
“Though there will be disagreement with the grand jury’s decision not to indict, this feeling should not lead to violence. Those who decide to participate in demonstrations should remember the wishes of Michael Brown’s parents, who have asked that remembrances of their son be conducted peacefully. It does not honor his memory to engage in violence or looting.”
Holder’s request apparently went unheard, as violence in Ferguson began soon after the announcement that the grand jury would not indict.
