Michael Brown Case Update: Grand Jury's Conflicting Schedules Delay Darren Wilson Outcome Until 'Mid October'
A grand jury in Clayton, Mo., will likely continue to hear evidence in the Michael Brown case until Mid October, despite their official term ending today.
The 12 jurors, nine white and six black, began hearing evidence last month – more than one week after Brown was fatally shot by Ferguson officer Darren Wilson on August 9.
St. Louis County Prosecutor, Bob McCulloch, is presenting the case and jurors are being presented with every shred of evidence as it comes.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
"The investigation is close to being completed by both the FBI and the police department. The grand jury is hearing evidence and will continue to hear evidence until they've been presented all the evidence," Ed Magee – a rep for McCulloch – told The Christian Post exclusively.
He estimated that this should conclude "mid October."
Since the killing of Brown, who was unarmed when he was shot six times by Wilson, hundreds of protesters have faced-off with police around the nation. Supporters are demanding justice for the Brown family in the form of the arrest of Wilson, who was suspended and is in hiding due to death threats.
Magee said conflicting schedules have delayed the hearing process.
"There's 12 grand jurors [and] their term finishes today so we have to be able to locate and find time when all 12 of them are able to get together," he said. "There's only certain times that they're able to match up all their schedules [and] that we're able to get them in. But we have a lot of time scheduled between the next month."
Jurors have not yet been informed what possible charges Wilson would face should he be indicted. This is reportedly unusual, according to the Washington Post.
"No that's not until all the evidence is presented and then at that time based on the evidence, they'll be given what the possible charges are," Magee confirmed.
Experts believe that if in fact Wilson is charged, it will likely not be with first-degree murder.
"Depending on what the evidence shows, it could be second-degree murder — knowingly causing death," Marcia McCormick, a professor at Saint Louis University Law School, told NPR. "A prosecutor could decide that the definition of voluntary manslaughter is more appropriate — knowingly causing death under a sudden passion with adequate cause (an assault on the officer)."
Several witnesses have told the media that Wilson was the aggressor and that the shooting of Brown was unprovoked. However, police have painted a very different picture, claiming that Brown attacked the officer and was charging at the officer at the time of the shooting, although police have still refused to release all details as their investigation continues.
Wilson is currently on paid leave and he is "not interested in speaking with the press at this time," a relative told CP exclusively.
Some critics have expressed concerns regarding McCulloch's handling of the case and believe he should be removed. The veteran prosecutor's police officer father was killed in the line of duty when he was still a child however he insists he is not biased.
"He has been involved in these type of cases before and has always been fair and open and will continue to be," Magee said.
