Civil Rights Charges Unlikely In Shooting Death Of Michael Brown
According to CNN, there has not been enough evidence in the case of Michael Brown that shows Darren Wilson dispossessed him of his civil rights. Therefore, it seems that civil rights charges are unlikely.
Although the FBI investigation has been completed and their findings have been sent to the justice department, they have yet to release any information.
The Brown family is still waiting to ascertain whether or not Darren Wilson, the former police officer who shot and killed 18-year-old Michael Brown on August 9, 2013, will be facing federal civil rights charges, KOIN reports. However, the federal civil charges are unlikely due to insufficient evidence.
The FBI investigated over 200 people, and has carefully reviewed the same evidence. The final decision will be made by Attorney General Eric Holder. He stated that he will have the final decision made by spring.
Brown’s attorney, Benjamin Crump, refused to comment, but he did release a written statement Wednesday regarding the civil rights charge against Darren Wilson.
“The family of Michael Brown Jr. will wait for official word from the Justice Department regarding whether or not any charges will be filed against the police officer who shot and killed him. The family won’t address speculation from anonymous sources.”
Antonio French, an alderman in St. Louis, stated that the community will be outraged and disappointed if there are no federal charges brought against Wilson.
“I think you have a lot of people who will be disappointed if this does turn out to be the case. The community and the family wanted a day in court, an opportunity to see all the evidence laid out, cross-examined. And it looks like that’s not going to happen. I hope we don’t have any violence as a result of this.”
French doesn’t believe that people are going to stop protesting any time soon.
“People have a right to protest. We will probably continue to see that. That’s a good thing. But we want to keep them peaceful, nonviolent because violence makes the situation worse. It divides the community in a time we need to come together and make everyone feel like they can get equal protection.
“The next steps I think are legislative change. Trying to make sure that in cases like this we get a special prosecutor by law, and to create a new level of civilian oversight over police departments.”
A man, Graylin Slater, who owns a boutique near the protesting areas, has stated that he just wants it calm and peacefully again.
“Hopefully everything can stay the same, calm setting,” he stated. “We’re just trying to get back to normal here in Ferguson.”
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon also spoke in regards to the federal civil rights charges that Wilson may not have to face.
“The broader, systemic issues” raised by the unrest that followed the killing of Brown would demand “sustained effort. The legacy of Ferguson will be determined by what we do next… to foster healing and hope… and the changes we make to strengthen all of our communities.”
[Image via Youngcons]
