Summary
Welcome to our continuing coverage of the aftermath of a grand jury’s decision not to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Brown for the shooting dead in August of the black teenager Michael Brown.
The verdict has sparked violent protests in Ferguson despite Barack Obama’s appeal for calm and an acceptance of the decision.
Here’s a summary of where things stand:
- The police officer who shot dead an unarmed black 18-year-old in Ferguson, Missouri, leading to weeks of unrest and reviving a national debate about law enforcement and race in America, will not face state criminal charges. A grand jury in St Louis County declined to indict Darren Wilson for killing Michael Brown on 9 August, following an altercation after the officer stopped him and a friend for jaywalking.
- The national guard has been ordered into Ferguson after violent protests, including arson and shooting. The request was made by the mayor James Knowles.
- Barack Obama has appealed for calm and an acceptance of the verdict. He said the problems behind such cases could be fixed, but not by “throwing bottles or hurting people”.
- Michael Brown’s family said they were “profoundly disappointed” by the grand jury’s verdict. In a statement the family urged protesters to remain peaceful.
You can follow how the details of the verdict unfolded and all the initial reaction here.
