Michael Brown family ‘profoundly disappointed’
Police officer shot dead unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown
Missouri governor calls for ‘peace, respect and restraint’
Twelve-person grand jury heard evidence for three months
10.11pm ET
President Obama begins speaking from the White House. “It’s an outcome that either way was going to be the subject of intense disagreement not only in Ferguson but across America,” he says.
“We need to accept that this decision was the grand jury’s to make.”
10.08pm ET
There are multiple reports of shots fired in Ferguson:
shots fired. crowd runs. police run behind car and draw out guns #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/bjogSX67VX
The crowd at #Ferguson Police Department is lit up by police helicopters, and TV cameras. Lots and lots of media. Four gunshots heard so far
Rocks being thrown through a restaurant window
From @MicahGrimes: Tried to flip the cop car, couldn't get it over, smashing it down now in #Ferguson https://t.co/PhaCHwQOgD
10.03pm ET
President Barack Obama will make a statement shortly on the grand jury decision, the White House has announced.
10.01pm ET
Here is a statement released by the family of Michael Brown:
We are profoundly disappointed that the killer of our child will not face the consequence of his actions.
While we understand that many others share our pain, we ask that you channel your frustration in ways that will make a positive change. We need to work together to fix the system that allowed this to happen.
9.59pm ET
McCulloch is asked what he would say to Michael Brown’s family.
“As I’ve said at the outset, my heart goes out to them, and regardless of the circumstances, they’ve lost a youg man, lost a young life,” he says:
But at the same time, everything was presented. But everything was presented... and 12 people made a decision that.. as tragic as this is, that it was not a crime
It does not lessen this tragedy that while there was a justifiable use of force... there was a loss of life here.
9.56pm ET
“I think we’ve got time for a couple more here,” McCulloch says.
He’s asked what evidence apart from a “charge” by Brown there is that Wilson was justified in using deadly force.
I can’t say what they saw is highly significant or not. But they had all the information... in most cases, it is not just one bit of evidence that says alright, that’s it, that’s all we need to hear. It’s every bit of evidence.
9.48pm ET
Around 20 police officers are now standing outside the Ferguson police department, each clad in helmets and carrying riot shields, the Guardian’s Adam Gabbatt reports:
They emerged soon after the crowd learned of the Darren Wilson verdict and remain in place. Some of the crowd are now chanting ‘shut it down,’ while others stand in silence. Many declined interviews in the aftermath of the decision, others were in tears.
At least two items were thrown from the crowd towards police officers at around 8.35pm. There seems to have been no violence since then.
Many had been pressed around a car broadcasting a live NPR feed of McCulloch’s statement from a Clayton courtroom. Several stood on the roof, listening intently to the long statement. But around five minutes in, the crowd was running out of patience.
It was as though the three people on the car roof could tell from McCulloch’s tone of voice what the news would be. After the prosecutor uttered the words “probable cause,” there were was an eruption of shouts and screams. Minutes later police in full riot gear ran to form a line in front of the police building.
9.46pm ET
“They gave up their lives... they put their lives on hold... they poured their hearts and souls into this,” McCulloch says when asked if he regrets calling the grand jury in the first place.
9.43pm ET
“I join with the Michael Browns family... in urging everyone to continue the demonstrations, but to do so in a contructive way,” McCulloch say as he draws the statement to a close.
He is then asked what the grand jury’s vote count on each charge. He declines to give details.
McCulloch asked whether perjury charges are forthcoming. Replies that he thinks those who offered testimony truly believed their accounts.
9.40pm ET
“All decisions in the criminal justice system must be determined by the physical and scientific evidence... anything less is not justice,” McCulloch says.
Meanwhile officer Wilson’s legal team have published a statement:
Statement from Darren Wilson's attorneys: pic.twitter.com/girub9R95t
9.37pm ET
McCulloch is now describing the circumstances under which officer Wilson fired at Brown.
McCulloch says Darren Wilson suffered "some swelling and redness to his face"
McCulloch says Brown's blood and DNA were found on outside door of officer Wilson's police vehicle and on officer Darren Wilson #Ferguson
New: Darren Wilson's gun fired 12 times, says McCulloch. Two shots in car, then 10 more shots, six or seven of which struck Mike Brown
9.33pm ET
“Physical evidence does not look away as events unfold,” McCulloch says, referring to his earlier observations that some witnesses changed their stories and some based their accounts on rumours circulating in the neighbourhood.
McCulloch says "several witnesses" said they saw Michael Brown "punching" Wilson at the officer's SUV
9.30pm ET
McCulloch is now running through a detailed timeline of the events on 9 August when Brown was killed:
McCulloch says Wilson DID realise Brown was the grocery store robbery suspect moments after first stopping him for jaywalking
McCulloch says Brown stopped fleeing at Canfield Dr and Coppercreek, turned around and moved back towards Wilson. Wilson then shot him
9.26pm ET
Wilson will not be indicted for the death of Michael Brown, McCulloch says. The grand jury has returned no probable cause on any of the five counts.
9.23pm ET
McCulloch says a number of witnesses who had initially stated that Brown had been shot in the back subsequently changed their testimony. Some also conceded they had not seen the shooting but repeated rumours circulating in the neighbourhood.
9.20pm ET
McCulloch says that the biggest hurdle the grand jury has had to overcome is the coverage of 24 hour news channels and speculation on social media.
9.18pm ET
McCulloch begins by acknowledging Michael Brown’s family mourning, “a loss that knows no bounds,” he says.
He then goes offers a brief timeline of events before the grand jury began its hearings.
9.15pm ET
St Louis County prosecutor Bob McCulloch has arrived to address the press at a courtroom in the Clayton justice center. He will now deliver the decision of the grand jury.
9.15pm ET
People in Ferguson are waiting to hear the grand jury’s decision.
Hundreds gathered round listening to NPR's All Things Considered broadcast from a car. These three on roof. #Fergsuon pic.twitter.com/TOmlV4XD7n
9.15pm ET
The press have been given a two minute warning before Bob McCulloch speaks.
9.03pm ET
The Guardian’s Jon Swaine is in the courtroom where the St Louis county prosecutor is expected shortly to announce the grand jury’s decision. The prosecutor’s office says testimony will be released online in about an hour.
NEW: spokesman for St Louis prosecutor says "most of the grand jury testimony" on Ferguson to be released to press online at 9pm CST
8.57pm ET
People in Times Square await the decision...
Times Square, America and the world wait for the #Ferguson decision. #MichaelBrown #DarrenWilson pic.twitter.com/CbiZTGlYPP
Hundreds out in bitter cold as #Chi2Ferguson demo gets underway. #Ferguson #MikeBrown pic.twitter.com/1fisyYGdJo
8.54pm ET
St Louis County prosecutor Bob McCulloch is due to deliver the grand jury’s decision in around 10 minutes. My colleague Jon Swaine is at the Clayton courtroom where McCullogh will address the press. He reports McCullogh will read a 20 minute statement to deliver the decision.
Spokesman says St Louis County prosecutor Bob McCulloch will make a statement on grand jury decision of about 20 mins then take questions
8.38pm ET
The Guardian’s Paul Lewis (@PaulLewis) is amongst protestors at the Ferguson police department, which appears to be where the largest gathering of protestors has amassed.
Paul reports roughly 300 protestors have gathered in the area, with several concealing their faces with masks or balaclavas and chanting: “No Justice, No Peace”.
A dozen or so officers have lined up outside the police station, which is protected with a metal barrier. With less than 40 minutes until the announcement of the grand jury decision, tensions are high.
Everyone I’ve spoken to said they expect the panel not to indict Darren Wilson. In the last ten minutes the crowd had swelled and has now fully taken over the road. One man in an Anonymous mask has stood on a car roof.
Surreal to see this outside #Ferguson police department, scene of recent protests - and where crowds gathering now pic.twitter.com/RmB4B6Bc0D
This man says he's an ex-cop, Captain Ray Lewis. "I wanted to bring a white police captain's face here." #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/DZU0GHDRiW
Re previous tweet. No way of corroborating whether he is an ex-cop. Apparently he was active during Occupy Wall St days.
Crowd outside Ferguson Police Dept now looks than 300 strong. Atmosphere is tense. Chants of "we've got to fight back".
8.27pm ET
Law enforcement officers prepare for a night in the streets. Via St. Louis Post-Dispatch staff photographer David Carson:
Command center busy w/ preparations for announcement of grand jury decision #Ferguson #MikeBrown pic.twitter.com/yg5CFOE3fS
8.25pm ET
Here is a video from Missouri governor Jay Nixon’s press conference from a little earlier in the evening:
8.23pm ET
The Guardian’s Jon Swaine (@jonswaine) is at the courtroom in Clayton where Bob McCulloch will announce the grand jury’s decision:
Here is the tiny courtroom where Bob McCulloch will announce the Ferguson grand jury decision. 44 seats pic.twitter.com/VSX2PdKtIv
8.17pm ET
Whatever happens next – the safety of the public is the top priority of police, according to St Louis County police, who’ve just issued a news release to that effect, on behalf of chief Jon Belmar. The statement also mentions protecting property:
St. Louis County Chief of Police Jon Belmar wants the entire St. Louis community to know that the safety of our citizens is the primary concern for the St. Louis County Police Department. “As a police department, our primary responsibility is to protect both life and property for our citizens, and we are committed to doing just that. St. Louis Metropolitan Chief of Police Sam Dotson, Missouri State Highway Patrol Captain Ron Johnson, and I, have prepared extensively as a Unified Command, for the release of the grand jury decision. Our commanders have been meeting with local community officials and protest leaders to help ensure preservation of life, property, and that all citizens’ enjoy the freedom to express their constitutional rights.”
8.11pm ET
Before the grand jury decision is announced in the next hour, here’s a summary of tonight’s events so far:
8.06pm ET
The protest outside the Ferguson Police Department on South Florissant Rd (map) is growing. Protesters have blocked – momentarily at least – an intersection north of the station at Hereford Ave (aka Chambers Rd aka Airport), according to people at the scene (more pics here):
7.52pm ET
Activists say 75 rallies are planned across the United States tonight in solidarity with protesters in Ferguson. The national rallies were planned for the day of the announcement of the Ferguson grand jury’s decision, whatever it may be.
A list of rally locations is here.
There are 75 actions planned re: tonight's #Ferguson decision. I'll be covering the one in #Sacramento. http://t.co/8xqJKLL3s5 #DarrenWilson
7.50pm ET
The Guardian’s Adam Gabbatt (@adamgabbatt) has spoken with Leslie McSpadden, an uncle of Michael Brown. McSpadden called for calm ahead of the grand jury’s decision being announced at 8pm. Adam writes:
“A lot of you all didn’t get to actually meet Mike Mike,” McSpadden told the Guardian. “Mike Mike wouldn’t want violence.”
McSpadden said his nephew would want protesters to be “patient and sit back and wait”.
While McSpadden is hopeful that Wilson is charged and hopes protesters behave, he is concerned about what the opposite verdict could mean for Ferguson.
“The city as we know it as gonna be alight. Destruction is in the future.”
7.35pm ET
A number of protesters have gathered outside the Ferguson Police Department on South Florissant Rd. Protesters, dressed warmly as temperatures head south past 40 degrees Fahrenheit, hold signs reading “Justice for Mike Brown.” A small number of officers – not in riot gear – stand across the street, outside the police building.
still waiting for 8pm announcement but good number of ppl already assembled across from #ferguson pd pic.twitter.com/MKUy8gIFXZ
Police, EMT, and Fire at memorial site in #Ferguson but seems unrelated. https://t.co/8tTm89VNUT
7.25pm ET
One correspondent at the Nixon news conference, who identified as a member of the alternative press, asked what officials thought of calls from revolutionaries that “if Darren Wilson is not indicted for murder, the country be brought to a halt through energetic civil disobedience by millions of people?”
The answer: we don’t know what the grand jury has decided.
7.08pm ET
And here are the full opening remarks from Mayor Slay:
We face one of those times today. What happened to Mike Brown has deeply divided us. Whatever is announced this evening, some people are going to be angry and frustrated. And some people are going to be angry and frustrated about that.
My message to the protesters: we will protect your right to peaceably assemble and speak your mind. Like last night, we will give you leeway to occupy public safety, and we will listen to your grievances. But turning violent or damaging property will not be tolerated. To the people who disagree with the protesters, the actions we’re taking are designed to protect you , to protect your homes, your families, your businesses and your neighborhoods. That is our paramount concern.
7.08pm ET
There’s an ongoing battle among TV producers to book the first on-camera interview with officer Darren Wilson (presumably contingent on his not being otherwise occupied).
Politico has the nitty-gritty. They say ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos is in the lead.
For the record, I met briefly with Darren Wilson a few days ago to see if he wanted to do an interview with me. That's standard procedure
Darren Wilson chose not to do an interview with me. I continue to hope to interview anyone with information about this tragedy.
7.05pm ET
Here are Governor Nixon’s opening remarks in full:
Good evening. I’m pleased to be joined by St Louis mayor Francis Slay, St. Louis county executive Charlie Dooley and Public Safety director Dan Isom.
Later this evening, the St Louis County Prosecutor will announce the grand jury’s decision. While none of us knows what that will be, our shared hope and expectation is that regardless of that decision, people on all sides show tolerance, mutual respect and restraint.
Earlier today, I visited with some folks in Ferguson, and it’s understandable that, like the rest of us, they are on edge waiting for the decision. But they are doing their best to go on with their daily lives, conduct their business and support one another and their community.
I also spoke with a number of faith leaders this afternoon who offered their prayers for peace and safety. Together we are all focused on making sure the necessary resources are at hand to protect lives, to protect property and to protect free speech.
Law enforcement officials continue to maintain open lines of communication with protest leaders to improve the interactions between police and demonstrators and prevent violence.
State and local law enforcement are continuing to work hand-in-hand to make sure the best and most experienced officers are on the streets. The men and women of the national guard will also be in the area to provide security at critical facilities, like firehouses, police stations and utility substations, and offer logistical and transportation support as needed.
This will help free up law enforcement officers to do their jobs effectively.
In closing, I’d like to reiterate my call for peace, respect and restraint, and thank everyone out there who’s working hard to make sure communities throughout the region are safe and secure.
6.58pm ET
And with that Governor Nixon’s short conference is drawn to a close. The key points to come from that I’ve listed below. We’ll bring you a fuller transcript in a short while:
6.50pm ET
Governor Nixon is asked whether police plan to intercept protestors’ communications. Nixon say he won’t go into operational detail but:
“The bottom line is we are respecting people’s rights to communicate, however, on the other side if people are violent... resources will be used to manage the issue.”
6.46pm ET
St Louis mayor Francis Slay takes to the lectern.
He acknowledges that the death of Michael Brown has “deeply divided us” and says that “whatever is announced today some people are going to be angry and frustrated”.
6.39pm ET
Missouri governor Jay Nixon has just begun addressing the press.
He starts by stating he does not know what the grand jury’s decision is. Regardless of the decision he calls for residents to show “tolerance, mutual respect and restraint” throughout the evening.
6.29pm ET
Guardian reporter Paul Lewis is at the venue for Missouri governor Jay Nixon’s press conference, which is due to start in the next few minutes:
Gov Jay Nixon will call for calm from this lectern 15 mins, 5.30pm. Grand Jury decision will be at 8pm. #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/BjPqhvYV2S
6.26pm ET
My colleague Jon Swaine has just posted this analysis piece on the key questions that could be answered in grand jury documents that look set to be released by the St Louis County prosecutor if Wilson is not charged.
You can read the full article here, but below is a brief summary of the four questions and issues at stake:
6.20pm ET
A small protest was taking shape earlier at the scene of Michael Brown’s killing on Canfield Drive in Ferguson.
Small crowd developing at scene of Michael Brown's death in #Ferguson. A man stands in street, loudly protesting. pic.twitter.com/DZw7Tr1X7g
6.09pm ET
The office of Bob McCulloch, the prosecuting attorney for St Louis County, has confirmed that the grand jury verdict will be announced at a press conference in the Clayton justice centre at 8pm local time.
This confirms reports from earlier.
6.01pm ET
If police officer Darren Wilson is not indicted in the killing of Michael Brown, St Louis County prosecutor Bob McCulloch’s office plans to release grand jury documents without seeking a judge’s approval, according to a lawyer in McCulloch’s office quoted by the St Louis Post-Dispatch.
“If it’s an open record, with all due respect [to the court], we didn’t need permission” to release the documents, the lawyer, John Hessel, was quoted as saying:
The failure to indict Wilson would render the case inactive, which would obligate McCulloch to release “records inquiring into a suspected crime” open, “subject to certain redactions,” Hessel wrote in a memorandum in support of the original motion.
St. Louis County prosecutor will release records if no indictment, even without judge's approval: http://t.co/LXZ3FXdb1i #ferguson
McCulloch asked a court reporter to transcribe grand jury testimony “for the use of the prosecuting attorney” and the filing says that the transcription is now a record of the prosecuting attorney. McCulloch would not release autopsy photographs, the names of the “grand jurors, minutes or notes of any grand juror, nor any documents of the Grand Jury,” the memo says.
5.43pm ET
Some observers have captured images of the particularly high levels of security around the Clayton justice centre:
Well, at least they haven't built a moat... yet. pic.twitter.com/MFVJA4EF8X
Police using bomb sniffing dogs near courthouse ahead of grand jury announcement #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/209sVGulvO
5.36pm ET
Video: White House urges calm ahead of Ferguson jury decision
5.30pm ET
In addition to cancelling after-school activities Monday, the Ferguson-Florissant school district has cancelled classes for Tuesday, “in consideration of the safety of all students and staff”. A statement posted to the district’s web site reads:
Due to the anticipated increase in traffic and possible demonstrations in our area as a result of the pending Grand Jury announcement this evening, and in consideration of the safety of all students and staff, the Ferguson-Florissant School District will be closed on Tuesday, Nov. 25. All after-school and evening activities will also be canceled. Information about our church partner sites serving meals on Tuesday and other relevant information for families will be posted on the District website, Facebook and Twitter pages.
5.26pm ET
A war memorial outside the St Louis County police department has been covered up:
@jonswaine @deray WW1 memorial outside StL Co. PD. (Attached photo taken at 2 pm) pic.twitter.com/qXAkK6HDwe
5.20pm ET
Missouri governor Jay Nixon is holding a conference call with St. Louis-area clergy in advance of the grand jury announcement, AP reports: “The Rev. Ronald Bobo Sr. says he and other clergy have been invited to participate in a conference call with the governor.”
5.12pm ET
My colleague Jon Swaine in Ferguson reports official sources in St Louis have said the grand jury’s decision will be announced at 8pm CST.
Meanwhile local media in St Louis are reporting a number of school districts in the area are calling off after school activities in antipation of protests in the area:
Add Clayton schools to that list. Also Confluence charter schools. #kmov
Add Ferguson-Florissant, Affton and Lindbergh to list of districts canceling after school activities. #kmov
4.50pm ET
While much of the focus of today’s reporting will be on expected in unrest in Ferguson, some residents in the city are trying to get on with their lives away from the protests.
My colleague Paul Lewis has sent this photo of young Ferguson resident Keylin Hodges who celebrated his birthday at a diner in the city as news of the impending grand jury decision broke. Hodges’ mom, Pinky, told our reporter she had been shielding she had shielded Keylin from the news.
Brown family asking for 4.5 minutes of silence before protests; for to the 4.5 hours Brown's body lay in the street #Ferguson
4.40pm ET
The Guardian’s Adam Gabbatt and Paul Lewis tried to ask Missouri Governor Jay Nixon questions during his stop at a burger joint just over an hour ago.
But the governor got away.
Here's @GovJayNixon fleeing Qs from our @adamgabbatt & @PaulLewis in Ferguson Burger Bar earlier - pic by Adam pic.twitter.com/469gINTNXj
4.31pm ET
A correspondent with local channel 4 KMOV reports many businesses are boarded up in Clayton and tweets a picture of a locked US postal service mail collection box:
Many #Clayton businesses have boarded up. @USPS suspended blue mailboxes there. #GrandJury announcement tonight. pic.twitter.com/splAyN9iXQ
4.11pm ET
Missouri governor Jay Nixon is scheduled to speak, the Guardian’s Jon Swaine reports:
Gov Nixon to speak at the University of Missouri in St Louis at 5.30 CST
4.06pm ET
Police set up a command post over the weekend in a shopping mall just outside Ferguson, the Guardian’s Jon Swaine (@jonswaine) reported:
As county government buildings were barricaded in Clayton, police began taking over parts of a shopping mall in Jennings, just outside Ferguson, where they ran a command centre during nights of clashes between officers and protesters that followed the death of Michael Brown on 9 August.
Shot of media presence in #Clayton #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/z7Jy2rrX6q
4.02pm ET
Business in Ferguson and the surrounding area are boarding up windows in advance of the announcement of the grand jury decision.
Clayton jeweler The Diamond Shop near where grand jury in #Ferguson decision will be announced boarding up now pic.twitter.com/Z376AxakXp
3.59pm ET
What charges might officer Darren Wilson face?
The 12-person grand jury was considering a range of charges against Wilson, 28, including manslaughter and murder. Or he may avoid charges altogether.
3.46pm ET
The grand jury’s decision whether to charge Wilson will be announced “later today”, the St Louis county prosecutor’s office has confirmed. The Guardians’ Jon Swaine (@jonswaine) reports:
Ed Magee, a spokesman for St Louis county prosecutor Bob McCulloch, said in a statement: “The grand jury hearing the Michael Brown/Darren Wilson investigation has reached a decision and it will be announced later today.”
3.36pm ET
The Associated Press has reported that the Brown family lawyer, Benjamin Crump, says the grand jury’s decision will be announced later this evening.
Some news sources are saying that announcement will come at 5pm ET. This timing is, however, unconfirmed.
#BREAKING: #Ferguson grand jury completes deliberations, announcement on decision expected today at 5 p.m.
3.18pm ET
Reports are now coming in from CNN that Michael Brown’s family have been notified that the grand jury has come to a decision, but have not been told what decision that decision is:
URGENT - Brown Family attorney tells CNN's @SunnyHostin that the family has been notified a decision has been reached. #Ferguson
The Grand Jury looking into the shooting of Michael Brown has been released and sent home, local & federal law enforcement sources tell CNN.
Gov. Jay Nixon of Missouri has arrived in #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/Jwsk3qKbKe
Governor Jay Nixon just stopped at a diner in #Ferguson near to where Michael Brown was shot. Declined to say when his press conference is.
3.04pm ET
My colleague Jon Swaine is in Ferguson and has filed this report with the latest on the expected decision:
Bob McCulloch, the prosecuting attorney for St Louis County, is expected to hold a press conference later on Monday. It is unclear whether he will immediately announce whether officer Darren Wilson has been indicted for killing Michael Brown on 9 August.
Governor Jay Nixon is also reportedly planning a public appearance. A public filing showed that he was due to fly into St Louis on his official plane later on Monday afternoon.
2.52pm ET
Hello and welcome. A grand jury decision on whether to charge Missouri police officer Darron Wilson for the murder or manslaughter of the black teenager Michael Brown is set to be announced in the coming hours.
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