Ferguson Grand Jury Decides Not To Indict Officer Wilson
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FERGUSON (CBSDFW.COM) - Anticipation and anxiety kept building in Ferguson, Missouri Monday after a grand jury reached a decision in the shooting death of an unarmed teen by a policeman.
The grand jury decided not to indict Texas-born Darren Wilson, accused of killing Michael Brown, 18.
"Now this grand jury has been asked to serve in a more investigative capacity where they are going to hear all the evidence. Evidence from the prosecution and also evidence for the defense," said Professor at the Saint Louis University School of Law, Susan McGraugh.
The Brown family released a statement moments after the decision was announced, which said in part: "We are profoundly disappointed that the killer of our child will not face the consequences of his actions. While we understand that many others share our pain, we ask that you channel frustration in ways that will make a positive change."
The grand jury was made up of nine white members and three black members. They were chosen by a judge in May, three months before Michael Brown was killed. Members of the grand jury heard evidence from witnesses and experts since August 20, 2014. Nine jurors needed to agree in order to bring charges.
Officer Wilson has stayed in hiding since the shooting. But he came to the administrative building in Ferguson - just steps from the courthouse - last month to get a marriage license. He has married a fellow Ferguson police officer since the incident.
The prosecutor was planning to release all grand jury evidence to the public after the grand jury announced its decision, but the judge on the case has not yet agreed to release those documents.
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