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2014-11-23 Home Front: Culture Wars

Ferguson Grand Jury Fails to Reach Decision on Indictment

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Posted by Glolunter Spons4225 2014-11-23 00:00|| || Front Page|| [4 views ] Top

#1 37 minutes later, they have STILL failed to reach a decision. Stay tuned, everyone!

Posted by Anguper Hupomosing9418 2014-11-23 00:41|| 2014-11-23 00:41|| Front Page Top

#2 If I am not mistaken, a Grand Jury has three decisions upon which to decide/rule:

1. There is sufficient evidence to believe that a crime may have been committed.

2. There is sufficient evidence that the person under indictment may have played a material role in the possible criminal incident.

3. The court hearing the case has proper jurisdiction to try the case, based on the circumstances and prevailing law.

The Grand Jury does not try the case, and does not assign guilt.

Having not seen the charges of identified the court involved, I cannot say anything certain about Point 3 - but I will assume that the case has been referred to a court with the correct jurisdiction. This case would IMMEDIATELY be ejected out of any improper court - so the court could avoid responsibility.

If Point #1 is judged affirmatively, then it seems a slam dunk that Point 2 will be upheld - I have heard no whisper than anyone other than Brown and Wilson were involved, and I will assume that substantial ballistic evidence shows that it was bullets from Officer Wilson's pistol that ended the thug's rampage.

So - the entire decision rests on whether significant evidence suggest that crime MAY indeed have been committed. I'd say that question is not particularly clear in either direction. Wilson did not shoot a pure, innocent waif who just happened to be sauntering down the sidewalk, on his way home from church. But - there is no evidence that Brown was armed, or actively seeking to harm any third party , and it appears that prior to the shooting, Brown had been moving away from Officer Wilson, and only turned back when Wilson hailed him, or otherwise demanded his attention.

All things considered, I would not feel too much that injustice was unfolding, if the grand jury sends this case to trial.

Given that the grand jury is basically "hung", it would suggest that if this case does go to trial, then the criminal trial standard of "reasonable doubt" is likely produce an acquittal.

Posted by Lone Ranger 2014-11-23 01:29|| 2014-11-23 01:29|| Front Page Top

#3 I find myself wishing they would just get the whole riot over with.

Posted by Anguper Hupomosing9418 2014-11-23 02:42|| 2014-11-23 02:42|| Front Page Top

#4 In Missouri the Grand Jury is comprised of 12 jurors. It takes 9 true votes for an indictment. When the final vote is taken you either have 9 true votes or you don't. It's hard to imagine a situation where a Grand Jury could be "hung".

There have been a lot of cases, however, where the jurors, in fear for their own lives or safety, may drop out or refuse to participate.
Usually a grand jury has 12 primary jurists and 6 alternates. If more than 6 members drop out and they don't have at least 12 members for a final vote... a new jury must be selected and the whole process resumes again from the beginning.

In this case I doubt the jury "failed" anything. It makes a lot more sense that final deliberations would be postponed until after the Thanksgiving Holidays to protect the jurors and their familys

Posted by junkiron 2014-11-23 03:57|| 2014-11-23 03:57|| Front Page Top

#5 It only takes one asshat who thinks they are Dr Quincy or Detective Columbo to make up their mind based on theory, conjecture or personal bias rather than the facts of the case (or the opinion of a room full of other more intelligent reasonable persons).

Posted by airandee 2014-11-23 07:24|| 2014-11-23 07:24|| Front Page Top

#6 It's a Missouri case, it has to be done under Missouri law. There is no change of venue, other state's laws have no authority in Missouri. Now, filing federal charges is a different story, and will probably happen.
As for timing the release of the decision, I personally would aim for about 4 hours after the next blizzard hits.

Posted by ed in texas 2014-11-23 10:20|| 2014-11-23 10:20|| Front Page Top

#7 In the State vs. Federal department, aren't we missing a Federal Attorney General? I can't help but think that has thrown a wrench into the plans if some parties were expecting this to be a Federal murder.

Posted by Skidmark 2014-11-23 10:30|| 2014-11-23 10:30|| Front Page Top

#8 Let's face it - Reverend Al and his fellow race baiters won't be satisfied unless Officer Wilson is executed.

And then they will have riots and looting in celebration.

Posted by Rambler in Virginia 2014-11-23 11:08|| 2014-11-23 11:08|| Front Page Top

#9 "No indictment? Get back in there and vote again til you get it right!"

Posted by Frank G 2014-11-23 11:10|| 2014-11-23 11:10|| Front Page Top

#10 Wish we had a newer photo of Ms. Brawley's guardian angel.

Your wish is my demand.

and the former home of Tawana Glenda Brawley

Posted by Vulgar de Medici7552 2014-11-23 11:18|| 2014-11-23 11:18|| Front Page Top

#11 Too many involved interests to not do something; maybe just trying to figure the time slot.

As far as I understand Missouri law, this is just to bring to trial, not a judgement.

I'd bet you a sleeve of golf balls, that if former AG Holder calls somebody, they still jump. Until Holder et al realizes Holder is already under the bus.

Posted by swksvolFF 2014-11-23 11:20|| 2014-11-23 11:20|| Front Page Top

#12 Sad. Comparing top and VMs pics, poor Sharpton used to be the virile idea of individual freedom, now he is smaller than Obama.

REPUBLICANS ORDERING CHEESEBURGERS ARE TEA PARTY RACISTS?!

Clown.

Posted by swksvolFF 2014-11-23 11:25|| 2014-11-23 11:25|| Front Page Top

#13 "I don't even own this suit"

Posted by Shipman 2014-11-23 11:38|| 2014-11-23 11:38|| Front Page Top

#14 I work near Oakland. I wonder if there will be sympathy riots. They will probably make the announcement on Friday morning at 4AM EST. The reaction will just look like notrmal shopping.

Posted by Super Hose 2014-11-23 15:25|| 2014-11-23 15:25|| Front Page Top

#15

Posted by junkiron 2014-11-23 20:26|| 2014-11-23 20:26|| Front Page Top

#16

Posted by junkiron 2014-11-23 20:28|| 2014-11-23 20:28|| Front Page Top

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