The Ferguson thread

[DoggyDaddy]

Or they will decide to prosecute even if the grand jury says no.

Can they even do that? Or would that just be the end of the criminal prosecution chances and the beginning of the inevitable civil litigation?

 

[chipbennett]

Can they even do that? Or would that just be the end of the criminal prosecution chances and the beginning of the inevitable civil litigation?

Of course they *can*, in theory (though McCollough has given every indication that he will abide by the Grand Jury decision). If the Grand Jury returns a No True Bill, the prosecutor can still draft an information (probable cause affidavit), and present it to a judge. And if the PCA in the Zimmerman case didn't get thrown out, I would assume that a PA could basically say anything in a PCA, and get the ball rolling.

 

[1911ly]

nothing like throwing crap at a wall till it sticks I am curious if they will announce the outcome today.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

Of course they *can*, in theory (though McCollough has given every indication that he will abide by the Grand Jury decision). If the Grand Jury returns a No True Bill, the prosecutor can still draft an information (probable cause affidavit), and present it to a judge. And if the PCA in the Zimmerman case didn't get thrown out, I would assume that a PA could basically say anything in a PCA, and get the ball rolling.

Thanks for the explanation. I had no idea how that would work.

 

[LockStocksAndBarrel]

If the prosecutor paid any attention to Zimmerman, he would be nuts to try to bring a case. He'll get his ass handed to him just like the Sanford dude did. This assume a no bill from the grand jury, of course.

If the grand jury can't see a way to charge the cop given the preponderance of the evidence, it would take some big stones to proceed anyway.

 

[HoughMade]

Can't speak for every state, but since the "criminal information" was invented, grand juries have frequently been used to keep a prosecutor from having to make a hard decision in a touchy case....champions of justice no matter the consequences that they are.

 

[freekforge]

its popping up on my facebook that a SOE has been declared in MO ahead of the announcement.

 

[BiscuitNaBasket]

its popping up on my facebook that a SOE has been declared in MO ahead of the announcement.

Just got a notification about that from USA Today as well...

 

[ArcadiaGP]

State of emergency declared in Missouri - MarketWatch

 

[freekforge]

its on the cnn website now. controversial times has part of the executive order on their site

 

[printcraft]

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

You broke it PC.

 

[printcraft]

You broke it PC.

Fixed!

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

Fixed!

Ah...Better!

 

[chipbennett]

Straight from the horse's... er, Nixon's (no offense to any actual horses) mouth:

Executive Order 14-14 | Governor Jay Nixon

 

[DoggyDaddy]

Straight from the horse's... er, Nixon's (no offense to any actual horses) mouth:

Executive Order 14-14 | Governor Jay Nixon

Now there will probably be demonstrations protesting the state of emergency.

 

[Trigger Time]

State of emergency declared in Missouri - MarketWatch

It's ridiculous. I would not let criminals who act like animals and mask it as legal protest hold my state hostage. I'd have the national guard in there arresting them, shooting them, whatever it takes.

 

[JollyMon]

So does this mean we will have an answer soon? I thought they decided to give 24 hours notice to the schools, has that happened yet?

 

[BiscuitNaBasket]

So does this mean we will have an answer soon? I thought they decided to give 24 hours notice to the schools, has that happened yet?

I think this could be considered 24hrs notice.

 

[Expat]

Luckily I already went to the grocery to stock up for the winter storm... so I should be able to hunker down in place here in Amish country... a few of them have had a angry look on their faces. I am attributing that to the Ferguson situation.