Ferguson & St. Louis, MO -- Deaths and Protests

[username]

I imagine there's a thread in here somewhere but I can't find it on my phone. The grand jury has reached a decision. Taking bets as to whether the officer will be charged and, if so, with what.

Major riots absent an indictment recommendation? Overblown? Limited to Ferguson?

Whaddya think?

[Duchess]

I don't think he'll be charged and I think that's been known behind the scenes for awhile. I think law enforcement has steadily been bulking up on everything they need to handle a riot. It will be epic.

[ramseycat]

I agree with Duchess. From what I've heard, the officer was justified in shooting the boy.

[Carsman]

I see "smoke" in St Louie, along with upheaval!

[username]

I've heard dozens of broadcasts about this shooting and I still don't have a clear sense of the events that day. I guess I'll have to read about it when I get in front of my computer. If Wilson ISN'T indicted, is that essentially calling the witnesses liars? Did just about everyone who saw it say Brown was arms up, surrendering?

I think absent an indictment it may get very ugly in Ferguson but I think concerns about riots around the country are over blown.

[HairOfTheDog]

I've heard dozens of broadcasts about this shooting and I still don't have a clear sense of the events that day. I guess I'll have to read about it when I get in front of my computer. If Wilson ISN'T indicted, is that essentially calling the witnesses liars? Did just about everyone who saw it say Brown was arms up, surrendering?

I think absent an indictment it may get very ugly in Ferguson but I think concerns about riots around the country are over blown.

There are some posts and videos pertaining to the eyewitness accounts in the An Interview with Ferguson residents thread here, user: http://mockforums.net/showthread.php?tid=11407 , in case you wanna start there for reference of merge/copy some of those posts into this new thread.

[Duchess]

CNN is reporting that the decision will be announced at 9:00 PM EST.

[FAHQTOO]

CNN is reporting that the decision will be announced at 9:00 PM EST.

Why do they keep pushing it back? Just get on with the inevitable already.

[Midwest Spy]

I don't believe he'll be indicted.

[HairOfTheDog]

The fears of nationwide race riots associated with the Zimmerman verdict were always overblown, IMO.

With Ferguson, I think the potential for less peaceful protests and more wide-spread riots is greater. This one is not about a citizen shooting another citizen and getting away with it (in some people's opinions) based on 12 other citizens' verdict/decision.

The fact that Ferguson instead involves a police officer shooting an unarmed teen makes a Grand Jury decision not to indict potentially more explosive, in my opinion. Blacks from many different cities across the US feel that they're discriminated against by police officers; lack of an indictment will very likely reinforce that perception and ignite anger.

Zimmerman made a case for self defense and there was no witness to contradict or confirm his version of events. Conversely, it's hard for me to imagine Officer Wilson having made a case for self defense when the witness accounts from unrelated parties consistently state that Brown was surrendering and/or had his hands in the air while Wilson was shooting at him, over and over. But, neither I nor anyone in the general public has heard all of the witnesses and evidence that the Grand Jury heard.

I don't know which way it's gonna go tonight. If the Grand Jury decided not to indict, I hope like hell that the announcement to the press includes clear rationale/evidence behind how that decision was reached and the number of protestors who turn to rioting is small and easily containable.

[username]

The announcement is due in moments. The way this this is coming down, it's like a news reporter's wet dream. Geez.

[QueenBee]

I do believe the shit has officially hit the fan. Prayers to the people of Ferguson for what I fear is about to happen there

[HairOfTheDog]

No true bill -- no charges to be filed against Officer Wilson. The physical evidence confirms a struggle and a shot fired within the police car -- that had to go a long way toward the Grand Jury's decision. It, IMO, paints Michael Brown as aggressive and resisting arrest.

So far here in the Mission, there are a lot of organized protestors in the street, but it's peaceful. (Way more peaceful than when the Giants won the World Series -- assholes set a couch on fire right in the middle of Mission St. and were firing shots in celebration.)

I'm watching live coverage over in Oakland, also looks peaceful so far -- laying down on Broadway, chanting, carrying signs. Coverage from Missouri indicates peaceful protests as well. Hope it remains peaceful nationwide.

The Brown family expressed disappointment and encouraged loud but peaceful protests to make a positive difference. The Browns would like citizens to push for body cams for all police officers. Many departments have adopted body cams since August. I hope body cams become the rule rather than the exception in coming months.

[Maggot]

Its almost Christmas so let the looting begin. Like winning a ticket that lets you run around a store for 5 min filling a cart with as much shit as you can grab.

[Duchess]

I've judged them and found them lacking. Whoever made the stupid decision to release this info at 9 PM has shit for brains. Whatta idiot. Let's try to keep law & order in the dark. This isn't the first crappy decision they've made, no wonder they find themselves in this position if this is any indication of their decision making skills.

[Carsman]

I've judged them and found them lacking. Whoever made the stupid decision to release this info at 9 PM has shit for brains. Whatta idiot. Let's try to keep law & order in the dark. This isn't the first crappy decision they've made, no wonder they find themselves in this position if this is any indication of their decision making skills.

Seems all the touted preparing by the Fergie PD to be able halt the anticipated riots was no where near being prepared! Idjuts!
(It was reported that after the decision was announced, the Fergie PD disappeared and left the scene for 15 minutes! WTF)

[Duchess]

This has been managed poorly from the very beginning. I'm white and I don't trust the Ferguson cops/prosecutor/DA.

[ramseycat]

Sone auto parts store is on fire. Way to go people. Burn down another business that won't cone back. More jobs lost.

[Duchess]

It's being reported that Michael Brown said to the cop, "you're too much of a pussy to shoot me". I guess Darren Wilson showed him.

This might not be unprecedented but it's highly unusual not to get an indictment. That's pretty much where the old joke about being able to indict a ham sammich comes from.

[Carsman]

This kinda speaks volumes!