Status of Police Officers in Ferguson and Staten Island
Recent Grand Jury Decisions
Recently, two grand juries have made decisions regarding the fate of police officers involved in the deaths of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and Eric Garner in Staten Island, New York.
Ferguson, Missouri
The Ferguson grand jury decided not to indict Officer Darren Wilson, who shot and killed Michael Brown. This decision has sparked widespread protests and unrest in Ferguson and across the country.
Staten Island, New York
The Staten Island grand jury also decided not to indict Officer Daniel Pantaleo, who placed Eric Garner in a chokehold that resulted in his death. This decision has also sparked protests and calls for police reform.
Grand Juries and Indictments
Grand juries are typically composed of 12 to 23 people who are tasked with reviewing evidence and determining whether there is probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed. If the grand jury believes that there is probable cause, they will issue an indictment, which is a formal accusation of a crime.
In the cases of Michael Brown and Eric Garner, the grand juries decided not to indict the officers involved. This means that the officers will not face criminal charges in connection with the deaths of Brown and Garner.
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