Jun 23, 2017:
City Attorney Apollo Carey disclosed that the parents of Michael Brown received a $1.5 million settlement.
Michael Brown's family receives $1.5 million settlement in wrongful death lawsuit | CBS News
Jun 20, 2017:
In St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. District Judge E. Richard Webber approved a settlement in the civil lawsuit brought by the parents of Michael Brown on April 23, 2015.
In the settlement, the parents, Michael Brown, Sr. and Lesley McSpadden will receive an undisclosed sum. Judge Webber chose to seal the amount and terms of the settlement because of possible adverse impact to the plaintiffs (the parents).
Judge approves Ferguson settlement with Michael Brown family | USA Today
Settlement reached in Michael Brown civil lawsuit | CNN
Feb 10, 2016:
The U.S. Department of Justice filed a civil lawsuit against the city of Ferguson, Missouri. The suit alleges that Ferguson continues to violate black residents' civil rights, and it continues to focus on the use of law enforcement to generate revenue.
Justice Dept sues the City of Ferguson to force policing reform | The Washington Post
U.S. Justice Dept. sues Ferguson, Missouri, over police reforms | Reuters
Aug 10, 2015:
In Earth City, Missouri, protesters blocked a part of I-70 by holding hands in a line across the road.
A small group of Oath Keepers (a controversial right-wing "patriot" group) assembled on the streets of Ferguson, armed with rifles and dressed in bulletproof vests and camouflage gear.
Dozens of protesters were arrested and some threw rocks and bottles at police.
Dozens arrested in Ferguson protests | USA Today
Oath Keepers Turn Up at Michael Brown Protests in Ferguson, Missouri | NBC News
Oath Keepers Turn Up at Michael Brown Protests in Ferguson, Missouri | NBC News
Yesterday, on the one-year anniversary of the shooting death of Michael Brown, peaceful demonstrations turned violent and an 18-year-old man, Tyrone Harris, was shot after allegedly opening fire on plainclothes officers. Harris is in the hospital in critical condition.
Today, a state of emergency was declared in Ferguson, Missouri.
State of emergency called in Ferguson after gunfire mars protests | Reuters
Michael Brown Anniversary: Police Shoot Suspect in Ferguson, Missouri | NBC News
Jun 30, 2015:
A draft summary report of a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into the tactics used by Ferguson, St. Louis, St. Louis County, and the Missouri Highway Patrol in the 17 days after the shooting of Michael Brown documents 45 findings with recommendations for improvement. The final report will be released in the coming weeks.
U.S. Justice Dept. cites missteps by police during Ferguson unrest | Reuters
Apr 23, 2015:
Michael Brown's parents, Lesley McSpadden and Michael Brown Sr., filed a wrongful death civil lawsuit against the city of Ferguson, Police Chief Thomas Jackson, and former Police Officer Darren Wilson.
Michael Brown's Parents File Civil Suit Against Ferguson And Former Officer | NPR
Apr 20, 2015:
On April 18, a memorial tree was dedicated to Michael Brown in a park in St. Louis, Missouri. On April 19 (yesterday), the tree was cut down and a plaque was stolen from the base of the tree by vandals.
Michael Brown Memorial Tree Vandalized in Ferguson, Missouri: Officials | NBC News
Apr 7, 2015:
In a municipal election in the city of Ferguson two black members were voted into office, making the number of black and white members on the the City Council even at 3 black and 3 white.
Ferguson Election Result Changes The Face Of City Council | The Huffington Post
Mar 15, 2015:
Twenty-year old Jeffrey Williams was charged with first-degree assault in the March 12, 2015 shooting of two Ferguson police officers.
Suspect charged in shooting of Ferguson, Missouri, police officers | Reuters
Mar 12, 2015:
Two Ferguson police officers were shot and wounded at a rally/protest near the Ferguson police headquarters.
Two police officers shot in Ferguson, Missouri, ambush | Reuters
Two police officers shot, seriously injured in Ferguson | The Washington Post
Mar 11, 2015:
City of Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson resigned, effective March 19, 2015.
Ferguson police chief Thomas Jackson resigns | St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Ferguson police chief resigns after scathing Justice Dept. report | Reuters
Mar 10, 2015:
In Ferguson, the Ferguson City Council voted 7-0 in favor of a “mutual separation agreement" (resignation) between current City Manager John Shaw and the city of Ferguson.
Ferguson city manager John Shaw resigns | St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Ferguson city manager out after Justice Department report | St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Ferguson City Manager Cited in Justice Department Report Resigns | The New York Times
Mar 9, 2015:
In Jefferson city, Missouri, the Missouri Supreme Court issued a news release entitled "Supreme Court of Missouri reassigns Ferguson municipal division cases" stating that "to help restore public trust and confidence in the Ferguson municipal court division" Judge Roy L. Richter of the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, will be transferred to the St. Louis County circuit court, where he will hear all of Ferguson’s pending and future municipal division cases.
The news release also stated:
The Court’s order also authorizes Richter to implement needed reforms to court policies and procedures in Ferguson to ensure that the rights of defendants are respected and to help restore the integrity of the system.
Current city of Ferguson Municipal Judge Ronald J. Brockmeyer resigned.
Missouri Supreme Court takes over cases in Ferguson; judge resigns | St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Mar 5, 2015:
At a news conference today, lawyers for Michael Brown's parents announced they will soon be filing a wrongful death civil lawsuit against the city of Ferguson and former Police Officer Darren Wilson.
Michael Brown's parents to sue over son's death | CBS News
Michael Brown's family to file civil lawsuit 'shortly,' attorney says | CNN
Mar 4, 2015:
The U.S. Department of Justice released an 86-page report entitled "DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE REPORT REGARDING THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION IN TO THE SHOOTING DEATH OF MICHAEL BROWN BY FERGUSON, MISSOURI POLICE OFFICER DARREN WILSON". The report clears Officer Darren Wilson of civil rights violations in the shooting death of Micheal Brown.
Darren Wilson Is Cleared of Rights Violations in Ferguson Shooting | The New York Times
The U.S. Department of Justice also released a 105-page report entitled "Investigation of the Ferguson Police Department" which concludes that:
- The Ferguson Police Department (FPD) "engaged in a pattern or practice of conduct that violates the First, Fourth, and 14th Amendments of the Constitution".
- Ferguson Municipal Court has a pattern or practice of "Focusing on revenue over public safety" and "Court practices exacerbating the harm of Ferguson’s unconstitutional police practices and imposing particular hardship upon Ferguson’s most vulnerable residents".
- The Ferguson Police Department (FPD) and Ferguson Municipal Court have a "pattern or practice of racial bias".
Ferguson Police Tainted by Bias, Justice Department Says | The New York Times
Justice Department: No Darren Wilson charges | CNN
Justice Dept. echoes Ferguson residents' complaints about police | CNN
Jan 21, 2015:
The U.S. Department of Justice will not seek civil charges against Officer Darren Wilson.
U.S. Not Expected to Fault Officer in Ferguson Case | The New York Times
Federal charges unlikely for Darren Wilson in Ferguson case, officials say | CNN
Jan 5, 2015:
A juror from the grand jury that failed to indict Officer Darren Wilson is suing St. Louis County prosecuting attorney Robert McCulloch, challenging the gag order preventing jurors from publicly discussing the case.
Ferguson Grand Juror Sues to Remove Gag Order | Time
Ferguson Grand Juror Sues to Remove Gag Order | The New York Times
Dec 26, 2014:
A driver in a car ran over and destroyed a memorial which was built for Michael Brown.
Michael Brown memorial destroyed overnight | The Washington Post
Dec 1, 2014:
In the wake of the shooting of Michael Brown, President Obama is proposing increased usage of body cameras by police, expanded training for law enforcement, and additional resources for police department reform.
Obama Wants More Police Wearing Body Cameras | ABC News
Nov 30, 2014:
Ferguson city officials announced that Darren Wilson will receive no pension, severance package, or benefits, following his resignation yesterday.
No Benefits for Ferguson Police Officer Who Resigned | The New York Times
Nov 29, 2014:
Officer Darren Wilson resigned from the Ferguson Police Department.
Darren Wilson, Officer in Ferguson Shooting, Resigns From Police Dept. | The New York Times
Nov 26, 2014:
Darren Wilson was interviewed by George Stephanopoulos of ABC News.
Exclusive: Watch George Stephanopoulos' Full Interview With Police Officer Darren Wilson | ABC News
Nov 25, 2014:
Today, a petition was published on the official whitehouse.gov website asking that Darren Wilson be charged with and prosecuted for first-degree murder.
View the petition and the Obama administration response here.
Nov 24, 2014:
A grand jury in Clayton, Missouri decided not to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in the August 9, 2014 shooting of Michael Brown.
Prosecuting attorney Robert McCulloch news conference announcing the grand jury decision | CNN
Aug 20, 2014:
Yesterday, a petition requiring police at all levels of government across the entire United States to wear body cameras surpassed the 100,000 signatures required to force a response from the Obama administration. The petition was published on the official whitehouse.gov website on August 13, 2014.
View the petition and the Obama administration response here.
Aug 15, 2014:
Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson announced that Darren Wilson is the officer who shot Michael Brown on August 9, 2014.
Ferguson Chief Names Darren Wilson as Cop Who Shot Michael Brown | NBC News
The U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI are conducting separate investigations into possible discriminatory and unconstitutional actions by the Ferguson police, and whether the civil rights of Michael Brown were violated by officer Darren Wilson.
Federal Ferguson Investigation Will Remain Independent, Holder Insists | NPR
Justice Department investigating police practices in Ferguson | CBS News
Commentary:
The grand jury (previously appointed in May, 2014) was made up of 9 whites and 3 blacks. In a racially-charged case like this, perhaps a separate grand jury consisting of an equal number of whites and blacks should have been appointed.
Answers to Questions About the Ferguson Grand Jury | ABC News
It appears as though the street in question is in a residential area with not much traffic. Why did Darren Wilson ask Dorian Johnson to walk on the sidewalk? Is it against the law to walk in the street or somewhere other than the sidewalk? Even if it's technically illegal to walk in the street, why ask someone to walk on the sidewalk in a low-traffic residential area?
Would Darren Wilson have asked a white person to walk on the sidewalk?
What was the tone in Darren Wilson's voice and what were his exact words when he asked Dorian Johnson to walk on the sidewalk?
Was Darren Wilson's request to walk on the sidewalk a simple man making a simple request out of concern for the safety of Dorian Johnson, or was it in fact a form of racial harassment?
Is it possible that Michael Brown already felt anger, perhaps intense anger towards whites, white police officers, or police officers in general?
Is it possible that Darren Wilson's request to Dorian Johnson to walk on the sidewalk was interpreted by Micheal Brown as a form of racial harassment, and that's what set him off?
Is it possible that Michael Brown was afraid of getting caught for allegedly stealing from a convenience store shortly before his confrontation with Darren Wilson, and did his fear contribute to his alleged aggressive behavior?
How much did Darren Wilson know about the convenience store theft, did he think that Michael Brown and Dorian Johnson were possible suspects, and how did that influence his behavior?
Was Darren Wilson in fact just doing his job and following his training, or did he provoke what happened?
More:
- Ferguson Became Symbol, but Bias Knows No Border | The New York Times
- Jon Stewart Accuses Fox News Of 'Racial Plagiarism' During Ferguson Coverage | The Huffington Post
- Protesters disrupt Black Friday shopping after Ferguson comes together | CNN
- Ferguson shows failure at every level | CNN
- Getting the Facts Right About the Ferguson Grand Jury Decision | The Huffington Post
- Amid Conflicting Accounts, Trusting Darren Wilson | The New York Times
- Dorian Johnson, Michael Brown’s friend who witnessed shooting, says he's 'hurt' by lack of indictment | CNN
- Ferguson Documents: What Michael Brown's Friend Saw | NPR
- Violence in Ferguson After No Indictment Announced | ABC News
- Attorney General Holder Statement on the Conclusion of the Grand Jury Proceeding in the Shooting of Michael Brown | U.S. Department of Justice
- Ferguson Jury: No Charges For Officer In Michael Brown's Death | NPR
- Michael Brown petition has 100,000 signatures; the White House must respond | The Washington Post
- Read police report from Ferguson, Mo. | USA Today
- Ferguson shooting & protests | CNN