08-30-2014, 09:19 AM
Yeah, there are definitely different agendas and a variety of perspectives from those directly involved in law enforcement, the residents of Ferguson and surrounding communities, the media, and we who are following the story.
I don't have a firm opinion about whether the shooting was justified or not either -- too many conflicting accounts by the witnesses.
I've seen some people in and outside of the Ferguson community hailing Michael Brown as a hero -- to me, that's over-the-top. He may have been a victim of a wrongful shooting death, that's what's being investigated. But, I haven't seen anything to indicate that he was a saintly or heroic person.
I understand the protests following Brown's shooting death, in any case. I've read and heard statements from some in the community who didn't canonize Brown, but instead focused on what they consider the intimidation and over-the-top strong-arm tactics of the area cops in general (statements made before and after the three officers I posted about in this thread were dismissed). Those community protestors are advocating for peace and more fair law enforcement. Other protestors are more narrowly focused on the Michael Brown shooting itself -- they witnessed or heard witness accounts and believe that Brown was shot down like a dog in the street and want the officer who shot him to be held accountable. Others protestors seem to just want an excuse to riot, IMO. And, yet other residents are staying home and don't want a part of any of it.
Anyway, maybe the state and federal investigations will turn up some more reliable evidence as to what went down between Michael Brown and Officer Wilson on the street that day. But, it's quite possible that 'he said/he said' is all there is to go on (in which case it would be a difficult case for prosecutors to try, even if Wilson is indicted by the grand jury).
I don't have a firm opinion about whether the shooting was justified or not either -- too many conflicting accounts by the witnesses.
I've seen some people in and outside of the Ferguson community hailing Michael Brown as a hero -- to me, that's over-the-top. He may have been a victim of a wrongful shooting death, that's what's being investigated. But, I haven't seen anything to indicate that he was a saintly or heroic person.
I understand the protests following Brown's shooting death, in any case. I've read and heard statements from some in the community who didn't canonize Brown, but instead focused on what they consider the intimidation and over-the-top strong-arm tactics of the area cops in general (statements made before and after the three officers I posted about in this thread were dismissed). Those community protestors are advocating for peace and more fair law enforcement. Other protestors are more narrowly focused on the Michael Brown shooting itself -- they witnessed or heard witness accounts and believe that Brown was shot down like a dog in the street and want the officer who shot him to be held accountable. Others protestors seem to just want an excuse to riot, IMO. And, yet other residents are staying home and don't want a part of any of it.
Anyway, maybe the state and federal investigations will turn up some more reliable evidence as to what went down between Michael Brown and Officer Wilson on the street that day. But, it's quite possible that 'he said/he said' is all there is to go on (in which case it would be a difficult case for prosecutors to try, even if Wilson is indicted by the grand jury).