Anger and understanding as Bell announces no charges after reinvestigation into Michael Brown's death

[Auburn85 432]

https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/michael-brown-death-no-charges-new-investigation/63-6ec6fd10-abe7-451b-8fb3-26299f505ac2

 

 

Quote

 

CLAYTON, Mo. — It was a high profile case that made headlines around the world on Aug. 9, 2014.

Eighteen-year-old Michael Brown died in the middle of the street after he was shot by 28-year-old Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson.

The case sparked protests, violence and riots in the streets for months.

"The question for this office was a simple one: could we prove without a reasonable doubt that when Darren Wilson shot Michael Brown he committed murder or manslaughter," St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell said during a news conference Thursday.

Now, five months after reopening the controversial case, Bell said he is not filing any charges against Wilson.

The former police officer served six years on the Ferguson police force. He's no longer a police officer.

"We put the time in. We did a thorough and detailed investigation," the prosecuting attorney said.

Bell said his office's newly-formed Conviction and Review Unit poured over the case.

"Examining thousands of pages of witness statements, forensic reports and and other evidence. Out of respect for Michael Brown and for his family, I do not intend to relitigate the evidence," Bell stated.

Several agencies previously conducted their own investigations into Brown's death, including St. Louis County police, a grand jury under former St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCullough and the Department of Justice documented an 86-page report.

All determined that no charges would be filed against Darren Wilson.

"The evidence clearly hasn't changed," said Jim Towey, Darren Wilson's attorney.

"This case has always been about evidence and the evidence clearly lands on Darren Wilson's side of the line," said Towey.

As the news conference drew to a close, an activist who said he is a friend of Brown’s father erupted in anger.

"Five months, six years, people out in the streets and nothing? He killed a man," shouted Tory Russell, 36, of St. Louis.

"It's over? One term, that's all you're getting. There's no integrity in what you're saying," Russell screamed at Bell before county police officers escorted him out of the courthouse.

Russell later told The Associated Press that he had just spoken with Michael Brown Sr. "He is hurting, and he's not accepting of this.”

Next week marks the sixth anniversary of Michael Brown's death.

"We don't believe that justice was served in the case, but it's understandable, based on what Mr. Bell said," said the Reverend Darryl Gray, a community activist who participated in many Ferguson protests following Brown's death.

"This is one of the most difficult things I've had to do as an elected official," said Bell.

Late Thursday, Jana Gamble, a spokesperson for Michael Brown Sr. and his wife, told 5 On Your Side, "the family is devastated by the prosecutor's decision and respectfully asks the public and the media to give them a moment."

Ferguson Assistant City Manager Matthew Unrein sent the following statement to 5 On Your Side:

"The City of Ferguson was made aware of the press conference held on July 30, 2020 by our former City Councilman and current St. Louis County Prosecutor, Mr. Wesley Bell, in which he indicated he had concluded his investigation into former Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson’s actions during the Michael Brown shooting. We know the results of Mr. Bell’s investigation will not please everyone. We also know Mr. Bell’s integrity and competence and are confident that Mr. Bell thoroughly reviewed all the evidence and that his conclusion is legally sound and ethically correct. We hope that the conclusion of Mr. Bell’s investigation can help to bring some sense of closure to the Brown family, the Ferguson Community, and the nation at large as we try to move forward together. The City of Ferguson remains committed to implementing sweeping and effective police reform to insure that the constitutional rights of all its citizens are protected, the health and well-being of its police officers are prioritized, and the safety and welfare of the Ferguson community is secured."

 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

 

 

[aubearcat 2,137]

There was absolutely no reason to reopen/re-investigate this case at all. It was investigated locally as well as by the DOJ. The same conclusion has been reached every time. Brown attacked Wilson and tried to take his weapon. He was shot as a result. The whole “hands up don’t shoot” story told by his friend on the scene was debunked as a lie by the evidence and other eye witnesses. 

[aubiefifty 16,754]

it is because he was walking off after the altercation. the kid was a thug. yes he assaulted the cop. but he quit fighting and was walking off. the kid should be in prison and not dead. that is the point. we get too damn blood thirsty in this country. the cop got his butt kicked and revenge killed him. he was walking away and unarmed when he was shot. and if my memory was right that is why the cop was fired.

[aubearcat 2,137]

54 minutes ago, aubiefifty said:

it is because he was walking off after the altercation. the kid was a thug. yes he assaulted the cop. but he quit fighting and was walking off. the kid should be in prison and not dead. that is the point. we get too damn blood thirsty in this country. the cop got his butt kicked and revenge killed him. he was walking away and unarmed when he was shot. and if my memory was right that is why the cop was fired.

You are mistaken. He was not walking off. They were in the midst of a fight. It’s been proven by evidence and eye witness testimony. There are cases of cops doing wrong, plenty of them, however, this ain’t one of them. Also he wasn’t fired he got out of policing. Read the report that was done by the DOJ. This incident was ruled justified. The report stated that the department had some bad practices as a whole but this was not part of it. 

[aubearcat 2,137]

https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/opa/press-releases/attachments/2015/03/04/ferguson_police_department_report.pdf

https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/opa/press-releases/attachments/2015/03/04/doj_report_on_shooting_of_michael_brown_1.pdf

the first report speaks on the racially biased practices of the department as a whole. The second report is concerning the shooting of Michael Brown. 

[aubiefifty 16,754]

45 minutes ago, aubearcat said:

You are mistaken. He was not walking off. They were in the midst of a fight. It’s been proven by evidence and eye witness testimony. There are cases of cops doing wrong, plenty of them, however, this ain’t one of them. Also he wasn’t fired he got out of policing. Read the report that was done by the DOJ. This incident was ruled justified. The report stated that the department had some bad practices as a whole but this was not part of it. 

some of the witnesses said he was walking off. they were talking to folks that were there. i do however understand a lot of people lie. if he was not then it is  on him. and i might be confused about him being let go.

[aubearcat 2,137]

30 minutes ago, aubiefifty said:

some of the witnesses said he was walking off. they were talking to folks that were there. i do however understand a lot of people lie. if he was not then it is  on him. and i might be confused about him being let go.

Yes, in the DOJ report, it labeled those people unreliable based on forensic evidence as well as the testimony of witnesses that corroborated the evidence. 

[Mikey 16,575]

57 minutes ago, aubiefifty said:

some of the witnesses said he was walking off. they were talking to folks that were there. i do however understand a lot of people lie. if he was not then it is  on him. and i might be confused about him being let go.

Brown was not walking off. He was wrestling with the officer, trying to get his gun away. Brown was shot 11 times during the course of that struggle. Had he been walking away, one or two well placed shots would have sufficed. The officer's only mistake was waiting too long to start shooting. You never let a criminal close with you.

This info is in case you don't believe Obama's Justice Department findings. You and I both know that DOJ would have hung that officer if they could have done so.

@aubearcat provided some excellent links, above. I suggest you read them.

[aubiefifty 16,754]

3 hours ago, Mikey said:

Brown was not walking off. He was wrestling with the officer, trying to get his gun away. Brown was shot 11 times during the course of that struggle. Had he been walking away, one or two well placed shots would have sufficed. The officer's only mistake was waiting too long to start shooting. You never let a criminal close with you.

This info is in case you don't believe Obama's Justice Department findings. You and I both know that DOJ would have hung that officer if they could have done so.

@aubearcat provided some excellent links, above. I suggest you read them.

ok daddy. i will when you do. i still wonder why his body was so far away from the officer tho. and unlike others on here if i screw up i admit it. i do not have a bit of problem with it.

[alexava 6,973]

Some people will never accept the results of the investigation. It is an unfortunate situation for the family. I empathize with them. 

[Mikey 16,575]

11 hours ago, aubiefifty said:

i still wonder why his body was so far away from the officer tho.

Then read the links.