This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/mar/30/jamar-clark-shooting-no-criminal-charges-for-minneapolis-police-officers

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Jamar Clark shooting: no criminal charges for Minneapolis police officers Jamar Clark shooting: no criminal charges for Minneapolis police officers
(35 minutes later)
A Minneapolis county attorney has decided not to press charges against two officers involved in the shooting of unarmed black man Jamar Clark in November 2015. A Minneapolis county attorney has decided not to press charges against two officers involved in the shooting of unarmed black man Jamar Clark in November.
Clark, 24, was shot by police in November following an altercation with two officers just yards from the precinct headquarters, and died a day later from his injuries. Clark, 24, was shot by police in November following an altercation with two officers just yards from the precinct headquarters. He died a day later from his injuries.
Police said that he was shot during a struggle, but some eyewitnesses said he was already in handcuffs. Family members later described the shooting as “execution-style”. Police have said he was shot during a struggle, but some eyewitnesses said Clark was already in handcuffs. Family members later described the shooting as “execution-style”.
However, county attorney Michael Freeman said that the evidence did not suggest Clark was handcuffed at the time of his shooting, and that he was reaching for one of the officers’ gun at the time. He also said that Clark told the officers: “I am ready to die.” However, county attorney Michael Freeman said the evidence did not suggest Clark was handcuffed at the time of the shooting, and that he was reaching for one of the officers’ gun. He also said Clark told the officers: “I am ready to die,” and that one of the officers described Clark as having “this thousand-yard stare”.
Following Clark’s death, a protest was organised around the hashtag #JusticeForJamar which occupied the street outside the precinct building and, for a while, the lobby. Tensions ran high during the 18-day occupation, and protesters frequently clashed with police officers, who tried several times to demolish the camp. Following Clark’s death, a protest was organised around the hashtag #JusticeForJamar, which occupied the street outside the precinct building and, for a while, the lobby. Tensions ran high during the 18-day occupation, and protesters frequently clashed with police officers, who tried several times to demolish the camp.
A week later, protesters were attacked and shot at by four men believed to be white supremacists. According to eyewitnesses, police told protesters: “isn’t this what you wanted?” when they came to the precinct building asking for help. They also pepper-sprayed protesters trying to help the wounded. A week later, protesters were attacked and shot at by four men believed to be white supremacists. According to eyewitnesses, police told protesters: “Isn’t this what you wanted?” when they came to the precinct building asking for help. They also pepper-sprayed protesters trying to help the wounded.
Hennepin County attorney Mike Freeman announced on 16 March that he would not use a grand jury to determine whether the two officers involved in Clark’s death should be charged, and would instead make the decision himself. Freeman announced on 16 March that he would not use a grand jury to determine whether the two officers involved in Clark’s death should be charged, and would instead make the decision himself.
“The only time murder or manslaughter charges can be brought against a police officer is when the use of deadly force is not justified,” Freeman said on Wednesday. “To repeat, evidence must show that use of deadly force was not neccessary to protect the officer and the public from harm.” “The only time murder or manslaughter charges can be brought against a police officer is when the use of deadly force is not justified,” Freeman said on Wednesday. “To repeat, evidence must show that use of deadly force was not necessary to protect the officer and the public from harm.”
At a press conference on Wednesday, in which Freeman invoked the names of both Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, the county attorney said: “Police have a very difficult job. They are of required to make split second decisions in situations that are changing and evolving.”
He also called for advanced training methods in the de-escalation of violent situations, and said “police must use peaceful methods first, and be willing to tactically withdraw.”
Clark’s DNA was found on the handle of one of the officers’ gun, Freeman said, and there was no forensic evidence on Clark’s arm that would indicate he was handcuffed. He said that 10 law enforcement and paramedic witnesses – including the two officers involved – had said he was not handcuffed, though he admitted that the other witness accounts were conflicted.
At the press conference, one audience member told Freeman: “If the city burns, it is on your hands.”