Written by CD Sutton II   

The recent Grand Jury decision in the death of Michael Brown has left a bitter taste in the mouths of his family, friends, and supporters. Like so many in the nation, I was instantly horrified at the eyewitness accounts, the 11 day delay by the Ferguson police in releasing ANY information, and the heavy-handed approach taken by our increasingly militarized LEO's.

With the decision in the books, and as an honorable man and critical-thinking liberal, I must now admit that I was wrong. Although I researched the countless internet posts that came across my desktop, seeking viewpoints from multiple sources, and attempting to verify (or debunk) the facts through that research, the Grand Jury found that there was no cause to indict Darren Wilson for anything. Please note that the same Grand Jury did not say that Wilson acted appropriately...just that they found no conclusive evidence to bind the case over for trial. And, like many of us, I will be anxious to examine the evidence for myself, when it is finally released.

The actions of the citizens in Ferguson who have peacefully protested are to be commended, but the actions of the few will forever stain the good people of that community. Watching the violence unfold last night, I was struck by the parallels to the aftermath of the Rodney King verdict in Los Angeles, now so many years ago. People rioted in LA out of the same senseless sense of rage over that injustice and , like in LA, the agents provacateur in Ferguson burned property and businesses in their own neighborhood. It makes no sense because people in the community patronized and worked at those places. These maniacs put their own neighbors out of work. It was an unhealthy and negative reaction to this situation...and it will accomplish nothing.

So the book on the fatal interaction between Michael Brown and Darren Wilson must be closed; not because the Grand jury decided, but because that, barring the discovery and presentation of new and compelling evidence, there will never be any criminal charges brought against Darren Wilson.

If the family of Michael Brown and their attorneys are smart, they will seek justice by pursuing the matter in Civil Court. And if they're really smart, they will file that suit naming Darren Wilson as the sole respondent. And you know what? They will win that case based on three key questions:

1) Was Michael Brown unarmed?----Yes

2) Did Darren Wilson cause the death of Michael Brown?---------Yes

3) Did Darren Wilson have an option OTHER than to kill Michael Brown?------------Yes


It is question three that will seal Wilson's fate. Caunselor McCullough (St. Louis County prosecutor) stated specifically last night that Wilson fired, paused, and then fired again. In that pause alone, Wilson had, or should have had, time to accurately analyze the situation. He could just as easily shot Brown in the thigh, ankle, or through the knee. Any of those shots would have dropped Michael Brown in his tracks and allowed Wilson the time he needed to subdue and cuff his suspect. Most importantly, this would have allowed Michael Brown to survive so that he could answer for or explain his actions. Which brings up question 4, a query that will detract from such a lawsuit:

Did Michael Brown engage in actions that lead to his own death?

The answer is again, unfortunately, Yes.