What Darren Wilson told the grand jury

By Fusion Staff  |  November 25, 2014 | 5:12pm
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After more than 100 days of media speculation and protests, St. Louis County Prosecutor Robert McCulloch very publicly announced that his office did not have probable cause to indict Ferguson Police officer Darren Wilson for the fatal shooting of Mike Brown. After reading through thousands of pages of evidence and testimony presented to the grand jury, we’ve pulled the following snippets.

According to the medical examiner investigator, there was no gun residue found on Mike Brown. Gun residue is an indication of being shot at point blank range.

According to Dorian Johnson—Mike Brown’s companion—Brown never punched Darren Wilson or reached for his gun.

Johnson said Brown never charged at Wilson. He said the police officer fired more shots while Brown was trying to explain that he was unarmed.

According to his supervisor, Darren Wilson did not know about the Ferguson Market incident.

In his own testimony, Wilson said he wasn’t dispatched to respond to the robbery, but he appeared to be aware of the incident.

One of the St. Louis County detectives who investigated the case noted that Wilson’s shirt, weapon, and belt—all pieces of evidence—were left behind at the Ferguson PD headquarters while Wilson was receiving treatment for his injuries.

Wilson told prosecutors that once he returned to the Ferguson police station he put his own weapon into an evidence envelope because he thought it could contain Mike Brown’s DNA.

Wilson’s supervisor described the police department’s relationship with the community as a normal “business relationship.”

Darren Wilson, however, told the grand jury that he was afraid to be left alone with Brown’s body because the neighborhood was known as an “antipolice area.”

Darren Wilson compared Michael Brown to Hulk Hogan, and said he felt like a little kid trying to wrestle him.

…Wilson also called Brown a demon (after shooting him for the first time)…

…and a charging bull.

Darren Wilson said shooting Brown only seemed to anger the teen, who appeared to be “bulking up to run through the shots.”

Wilson claimed his firearm was his only option for defense when Mike Brown started punching him…

Wilson said he feared Brown would punch him to death.

Wilson testified he did not have a taser because it was too cumbersome.

Wilson’s unidentified supervisor said it was his idea for Wilson to leave the scene.

Wilson, however, said the “Sarge” told him to sit in his car, but he wanted to leave the scene to avoid getting “singled out.”

Officer Wilson told prosecutors that he immediately called for backup and told his dispatch that shots had been fired.

It wasn’t until later that Wilson learned that the call never went through.

During his testimony, Officer Wilson stated that his gun misfired…

…twice.

When asked why he exited his vehicle to pursue Brown, Wilson told prosecutors that he was afraid Mike Brown would try to assault other officers who could be arriving at the scene.

Wilson said he didn’t learn Mike Brown’s and Dorian Johnson’s names until the next day.

Wilson suffered a bruised face, according to a medical report filed on the day of the shooting. No serious or life-threatening injuries were mentioned by medical personnel who examined Wilson.

One witness held racist views toward black people, according to a journal entry dated Aug. 9. and submitted to the grand jury. Prosecutor Robert McCulloch said at a press conference Monday night that all witnesses who saw Brown charge at Wilson were black.

The person, identified at Witness 40, described Brown running at Wilson “like a foot ball player.” Then the bullets flew—”omg the blood.”

Fidel Martinez is an editor at Fusion.net. He’s also a Texas native and a lifelong El Tri fan.

Jordan Fabian is Fusion’s politics editor, writing about campaigns, Congress, immigration, and more. When he’s not working, you can find him at the ice rink or at home with his wife, Melissa.

 
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