Ferguson, MO

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Then you should have said this instead of boasting about your (blabber mouthed) St. Louis police officer friend who told you this afternoon as they prepared for the public's response to the decision.

If you're telling the truth, the people who disclosed this to social media are also blabber mouths. This isn't one of those things that should be revealed just for shits and giggles.

It's not being revealed for shits and giggles but as safety bulletins. Many protestors have called for the killing of police officers if Wilson isn't indicted. Look at the reactive measures already put in place. National Guard activated, schools being closed, local police being notified and prepped since this afternoon...all signs of no indictment.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

It's not being revealed for shits and giggles but as safety bulletins.

Whatever, dude.

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Many protestors have called for the killing of police officers if Wilson isn't indicted. Look at the reactive measures already put in place. National Guard activated, schools being closed, local police being notified and prepped since this afternoon.

This is why it is important for the press release to occur when officials are prepared for the press release and the aftermath.

Originally Posted by Nanners52674

They knew this decision in the afternoon. Waiting until 8pm to announce this decision has just set up Ferguson for more failure.

They had to prepare for the public's response. There are pros and cons to releasing the information in the afternoon and there are pros and cons to waiting until the evening. Releasing in the afternoon gives people a longer time to protest and that includes interrupting the people who had to go to work today/living their life as normal. It is best to release in the evening once there has been preparation and potential protestors and rioters are in a more central location.

I hope any idiot who kills police officers will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Overall, I hope for peaceful protests. Violent and destructive protests aren't going to harm anyone but the people in these predominantly Black communities.

[ZetaPhi708.20]

This is way too surrealistic: seeing/hearing the riot on one side of the screen and President Obama on the other.

Now, MSNBC has switched to Pres. Obama only.

There goes the tear gas. Well the media is stating smoke but Twitter feed states tear gas and smoke.

[Nanners52674]

The giant neon Seasons Greetings light is just a very depressing juxtaposition.

[aephi alum]

I don't agree with the decision (I think the cop should have been indicted on involuntary manslaughter - he did kill someone, after all, albeit in the line of duty). But it's made.

Let the riots begin...

If you're in the area - or any areas where there are protests - stay safe.

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by aephi alum

I don't agree with the decision (I think the cop should have been indicted on involuntary manslaughter - he did kill someone, after all, albeit in the line of duty).

Involuntary manslaughter? How? He wasn't speeding and then hit someone riding a bike. He discharged his weapon in self defense while conducting official police business. Whether you feel it was justified or not, involuntary manslaughter is a charge that can't be brought up given the circumstances.

[honeychile]

I purposely haven't posted anything about Ferguson, but I do have a somewhat slanted view. My daddy was a police commissioner for a short time. I also feel a lot of sympathy for anyone who loses a child, especially violently.

One of the most valuable lessons that ANY child needs to learn in school is WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARE STOPPED BY THE POLICE!! First and foremost: the police, no matter how corrupt you may think they are, are entitled to the respect of their badge. Keep cool. Say yes, sir, yes, ma'am. Keep your hands at 10 and 2 on the steering wheel. Shut up and lawyer up. I firmly feel that this should be taught from kindergarten and repeated every year.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by honeychile

One of the most valuable lessons that ANY child needs to learn in school is WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARE STOPPED BY THE POLICE!! First and foremost: the police, no matter how corrupt you may think they are, are entitled to the respect of their badge. Keep cool. Say yes, sir, yes, ma'am. Keep your hands at 10 and 2 on the steering wheel. Shut up and lawyer up. I firmly feel that this should be taught from kindergarten and repeated every year.

It's really not Michael Brown's fault that Darren Wilson shot him.

[aephi alum]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Involuntary manslaughter? How? He wasn't speeding and then hit someone riding a bike. He discharged his weapon in self defense while conducting official police business. Whether you feel it was justified or not, involuntary manslaughter is a charge that can't be brought up given the circumstances.

Per findlaw.com:

Three elements must be satisfied in order for someone to be found guilty of involuntary manslaughter:

- Someone was killed as a result of act by the defendant.
- The act either was inherently dangerous to others or done with reckless disregard for human life.
- The defendant knew or should have known his or her conduct was a threat to the lives of others.

Points 1 and 3 are clear: Someone was killed, and the defendant knew that firing his gun was a threat to someone's life. Point 2 is a bit hazier. Wilson didn't shoot with "reckless disregard for human life", but his actions could be considered "inherently dangerous".

That said, I don't know why the grand jury was even asked to consider Murder 1. That is "an unlawful killing that is both willful and premeditated" - again per findlaw.com.