Unlike a preliminary hearing, (click here) held in court with the defense side present, the grand jury does not make its decision in the context of an adversary proceeding. Rather, grand jurors see and hear only what prosecutors put before them. (Prosecutors technically have an obligation to present “exculpatory” evidence—evidence that suggests that a defendant might not be guilty—though there is not much other than the prosecutor’s conscience to enforce this rule.)
In part because there’s no one on the "other side" to contest the prosecutor’s evidence, grand juries almost always return an indictment as requested by the prosecutor. According to a U.S. Department of Justice study on plea bargaining, “Grand juries are notorious for being ‘rubberstamps’ for the prosecutor for virtually all routine criminal matters.” (Plea Bargaining: Critical Issues and Common Practices, by William F. McDonald, (U.S. DOJ, National Institute of Justice, 1985).)...
August 20, 2014
By Leada Gore
A grand jury in Ferguson, Missouri (click here) will begin hearing evidence today in the shooting death of Michael Brown.
Witnesses are scheduled to appear before the grand jury, Ed Magee, a spokesman for St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Bob McCulloch told Bloomberg.The grand jury will be deciding the fate of Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson, who killed Brown Aug. 9, setting off a wave of violent protests in the St. Louis suburb.
It's not known if Wilson will testify. He faces charges ranging from manslaughter to murder.
The grand jury comes just as federal officials said they are starting an investigation into if Brown's civil rights were violated. It also comes as federal officials complete the third autopsy on the teen's body. Earlier autopsies showed he was shot six times, including two times in the head....
This is very problematic in the circumstances of Michael Brown, Jr. in that Ferguson is already proven to be racist in their administration. It was a mistake by the Governor to deny justice.
There are many witnesses to the death of Michael Brown, Jr. There is no doubt to the actions of Darren Wilson. The Grand Jury is not necessary and there is every reason to believe it is tainted with racism and corrupt. The corruption is obvious, the defense is going to be presented by the prosecution. There are no questions to the illegitimate nature of this city and it's administration. They need to resign and/or a new election held with full citizen registration exhibited in participation so the racists can be replaced. There is no short route to justice. The people of Ferguson have the right to be represented equitably.
There are many witnesses to the death of Michael Brown, Jr. There is no doubt to the actions of Darren Wilson. The Grand Jury is not necessary and there is every reason to believe it is tainted with racism and corrupt. The corruption is obvious, the defense is going to be presented by the prosecution. There are no questions to the illegitimate nature of this city and it's administration. They need to resign and/or a new election held with full citizen registration exhibited in participation so the racists can be replaced. There is no short route to justice. The people of Ferguson have the right to be represented equitably.
