Socialist Worker

Serious flaws in testimony of Michael Brown's killer Darren Wilson

by Judith Orr
Issue No. 2432

Protesters march for justice for Mike Brown

Protesters march for justice for Mike Brown (Pic: Benjamin Dunn on Flickr)

Thousands protested across the US last week over the decision not to charge Darren Wilson, the cop who killed black teenager Michael Brown in August. 

In Ferguson, Missouri, police attacked protesters using pepper spray and tear gas, and arrested over 400. Almost 3,000 National Guard troops flooded the streets. 

Wilson resigned from the police last Saturday. Grand Jury transcripts show that he was allowed four hours testimony to justify shooting Michael, with no cross examination. 

Inconsistencies of witnesses who supported his story were uncontested. But witnesses who challenged Wilson’s version were sharply interrogated. 

Prosecutors gave jurors Missouri law on when police have a right to shoot a suspect at the start of the hearing. It said cops have a right to shoot a fleeing suspect. This hadn’t applied for around 30 years.

It was weeks before the jury were given the current law. Prosecutors didn’t indicate which part of the document was invalid. So at no time were jurors told it was illegal to shoot a fleeing suspect.


