ST. LOUIS — A grand jury has reached a decision on whether to indict Darren Wilson, the white Ferguson, Mo., police officer whose fatal shooting of an unarmed black teenager in August sparked days of unrest in Missouri and compelled communities across the nation to take closely scrutinize local police policies and examine race and police relations around the country
The victim’s family attorney, Benjamin Crump stated that the grand jury’s decision would be announced later on Monday evening, but gave no indication of whether or not Wilson, 28, will be face charges or for the shooting death of the unarmed 18-year-old
The grand jury’s decision was expected to come last week and then again over the weekend, but because of the volume of evidence jurors must consider and the volatile climate surrounding the case, official have been careful to take extreme precautions in an effort to be prepared for all possible outcomes.
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon (D) and the county prosecutor’s office are expected to hold news conferences later Monday, and prosecutors have notified the family of Michael Brown — the teen who Wilson killed — that the grand jury’s decision will be announced Monday night, family attorney Benjamin Crump said.
Sources report that the announcement of whether or not Wilson will be indicted is expected to made public at 5:30 p.m. EST.
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon came under heavy criticism when on last Monday, Nov. 17 he declared a state of emergency, a full week ahead the announcement of findings of the federal and St. Louis County investigations into the death of Brown.
“Regardless of the outcomes of the federal and state criminal investigations, there is the possibility of expanded unrest,” Nixon said in the order scheduled to expire in 30 days unless extended. “The state of Missouri will be prepared to appropriately respond to any reaction to these announcements.”
Brown’s family is calling for supporters and protesters to remain calm and exercise restraint when the decision is announced.
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