US Clears Darren Wilson in Michael Brown Shooting, Criticizes Police Force
The former Ferguson, Missouri, cop who shot and killed an unarmed Black 18-year-old last August will not be prosecuted by the Justice Department, AP reports.
The federal officials’ decision came down to a lack of evidence that disproved former officer Darren Wilson’s testimony that he feared for his life when he fatally shot Michael Brown. They also concluded there was no reliable proof that Brown had his hands raised in surrender when he was shot.
"After a careful and deliberative review of all of the evidence, the department has determined that the evidence does not establish that Darren Wilson violated the applicable federal criminal civil rights statute," a Justice Department Statement read.
While Wilson will not face civil rights charges, another scathing report released Wednesday accused Ferguson and its Police Department of racial bias. According to AP, Blacks in Ferguson are disproportionately subject to excessive police force, baseless traffic stops and citations for infractions as petty as walking down the middle of the street.
"Today we received disappointing news from the Department of Justice that the killer of our son wouldn't be held accountable for his actions,” Brown’s parents, Lesley McSpadden and Michael Brown, Sr., said in a statement. "While we are saddened by this decision, we are encouraged that the DOJ will hold the Ferguson Police Department accountable for the pattern of racial bias and profiling they found in their handling of interactions with people of color.”
"It is our hope that through this action, true change will come not only in Ferguson, but around the country,” Brown Sr. added. "If that change happens, our son's death will not have been in vain."
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(Photo: Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images)