- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

Brown Family Considers Civil Suit Against Former Ferguson Officer Wilson

© AP Photo / Jeff RobersonLesley McSpadden, the mother of Michael Brown, prepares to speak to a crowd of supporters, Friday, Dec. 5, 2014, in Jefferson City, Mo.
Lesley McSpadden, the mother of Michael Brown, prepares to speak to a crowd of supporters, Friday, Dec. 5, 2014, in Jefferson City, Mo. - Sputnik International
Subscribe
The family of slain Ferguson teen Michael Brown is considering suing former officer Darren Wilson, as news emerged Thursday that the Department of Justice is set to decline civil rights charges against him.

Anthony Gray, the attorney who represents the Brown family, confirmed Friday to the Guardian that the family is considering pursuing charges against Wilson, who fatally shot the unarmed 18-year-old in August.

That is an option that is available,” Gray said. “They have not made a decision to move forward at this point, [but] that is an option that is always on the table.”

© REUTERS / St. Louis County Prosecutor's OfficeFormer Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson was determined by a grand jury not to have violated the law in the August 2014 shooting death of unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown.
Former Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson was determined by a grand jury not to have violated the law in the August 2014 shooting death of unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown. - Sputnik International
Former Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson was determined by a grand jury not to have violated the law in the August 2014 shooting death of unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown.

Officials speaking on condition of anonymity told the New York Times and CNN on Thursday that, after federal investigators interviewed more than 200 people, analyzed cell phone and video data, and examined Wilson’s clothing and gun, the DoJ was preparing to recommend that no action should be taken against the former police officer.

For federal charges to be brought against Wilson, the investigation would have had to prove that Wilson intended to violate Brown’s rights. 

© AP Photo / Jeff RobersonPeople walk away from a storage facility on fire after the announcement of the grand jury decision to not indict in Ferguson, Mo.
People walk away from a storage facility on fire after the announcement of the grand jury decision to not indict  in Ferguson, Mo.  - Sputnik International
People walk away from a storage facility on fire after the announcement of the grand jury decision to not indict in Ferguson, Mo.

Brown’s death, and the St. Louis County grand jury’s decision not to indict Wilson for it, led to public outcry, with violent confrontations between police and demonstrators in Ferguson, and sparked a nationwide protest movement against police brutality and racial discrimination by law enforcement. 

Michael Brown memorial - Sputnik International
Officials: DOJ to Clear Ferguson Officer Wilson of Civil Rights Charges

The definition of civil rights is no deprivation of life, liberty, or the pursuit of happiness without due process of law, and I can’t think of any deprivation of that greater than the killing of innocent citizens in the streets,” Ashley Yates, co-founder of the Millennial Activists United, who also works with BlackLivesMatter and Ferguson Action, told the Guardian.

Michael Brown didn’t get any due process … ​For the government to take this loss of life and find that no deprivation of rights has taken place is curious.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала