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Ferguson: How a black teenager's death caused a town to explode Ferguson unrest: From shooting to nationwide protests
(about 11 hours later)
The shooting of black teenager Michael Brown led to widespread unrest and an upsurge of anger against the police - but many of the facts behind the case are disputed. Violent protests have taken place in several US cities, sparked by a jury's decision not to charge a policeman over the killing of an unarmed black teenager in Ferguson, Missouri.
The BBC explains what we know, and where the Ferguson protests may lead. We look at the key questions surrounding the decision - and the unrest that followed.
Why are the protests taking place?
The protests were sparked by a jury's decision not to charge a police officer over the killing of an unarmed black teenager in Ferguson, Missouri.
The officer, Darren Wilson, is white. The teenager, Michael Brown, was black. The protesters in Ferguson see the case as a symbol of racism and police brutality. Most of the town's residents are black, and most of its police officers are white.
The first round of protests - after the shooting in August - was focused on Ferguson. The second round of protests - in reaction to the jury's decision - has spread to other cities because the grievances articulated in Ferguson have broader resonance.
Many Americans believe that the police use excessive force, in particular towards black people.
The slogan "hands up, don't shoot" - coined in Ferguson in reference to witnesses who say Brown's hands were raised - became a rallying cry and "No justice, no peace" could be heard at many of the events across the country.
What did the jury decide?
The jury decided there was not enough evidence to bring charges against Officer Wilson. The panel of jurors heard testimony from scores of witnesses, as well as from forensic and medical experts.
The evidence from witnesses was often contradictory. Some of it supported Officer Wilson's version of events. Other witness statements appeared to support the account of Dorian Johnson, Mr Brown's friend who was with him when he died.
When can police officers shoot?
What exactly happened in Ferguson?What exactly happened in Ferguson?
The grand jury has now concluded that the evidence does not warrant charges against Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson, the man who shot and killed Michael Brown. The exact details of what happened that day remain disputed by police, eyewitnesses and family members.
Yet the exact details of what happened remain disputed by police, eyewitnesses and family members.
What is known for certain is that around midday on 9 August, Mr Wilson was driving a police car and encountered Mr Brown and a friend walking down a street.What is known for certain is that around midday on 9 August, Mr Wilson was driving a police car and encountered Mr Brown and a friend walking down a street.
Minutes later 18-year-old Mr Brown was dead, suffering at least seven gunshot wounds, according to county prosecutor Bob McCulloch.Minutes later 18-year-old Mr Brown was dead, suffering at least seven gunshot wounds, according to county prosecutor Bob McCulloch.
Mr Wilson fired of total of 12 bullets, though investigators were unclear exactly how many of the 12 struck Mr Brown. One injury may have been a re-entry wound. Mr Wilson fired a total of 12 bullets, though investigators were unclear exactly how many of the 12 struck Mr Brown. One injury may have been a re-entry wound.
It is what happened in those key intervening moments that remains disputed.It is what happened in those key intervening moments that remains disputed.
Two separate post-mortem examinations were carried out - one conducted by a state pathologist, and one privately at the request of the Brown family. What does Officer Wilson say happened?
The family pathologist said it was possible Mr Brown had been shot while he had his hand up in a "surrender" position. In addition, the absence of gunshot residue on the victim's skin meant he might well have been shot from some distance away - more than 2ft (0.6m). Officer Wilson says he confronted Mr Brown and Mr Johnson at around midday on 9 August. The officer, who was in his vehicle, says he told the men to move to the pavement because they were walking down the middle of the road, holding up traffic.
But the official county post-mortem report contradicted this, saying gunshot residue had indeed been found on the victim's thumb. The men ignored his request. When the officer spoke to the men again, he realised they were suspects in a robbery reported nearby.
Even the witness statements appear to be contradictory. He radioed for more officers, and reversed his vehicle to block the men's way. Officer Wilson says he tried to open the door of his vehicle but Mr Brown slammed it shut. The officer says Mr Brown struck him in the face when he tried to use the door to push him back.
Most agree that after Mr Brown and Mr Wilson appeared to scuffle through the police car window, the policeman fired his weapon and the teenager then fled before being shot dead. Officer Wilson says he drew his gun and threatened to shoot Mr Brown, fearing another punch to the face. Mr Brown is said to have challenged him, reaching through the window to grab the gun. The officer says a scuffle took place in which the weapon was fired twice, but remained with him.
Some say Mr Brown was killed after surrendering to the policeman, with witnesses saying he had his arms in a raised or "hands up" position. Mr Brown and Mr Johnson ran off. Officer Wilson left the vehicle and ran after them. Officer Wilson says he asked Mr Brown to get on the ground. But, he says, Mr Brown turned around and charged at him, with a hand reaching under his shirt in the waistband of his trousers.
But others have supported the policeman's testimony. Mr Wilson said that after he left his car to pursue the fleeing young man, Mr Brown turned and charged straight at him, after which he fired the fatal shots. Officer Wilson says he fired several shots at Mr Brown, who was gaining on him.
How bad were the August protests? The officer said Mr Brown behaved very aggressively throughout the encounter. The officer said his own actions had been in self-defence, and he compared Mr Brown to a "demon" and to the wrestler, Hulk Hogan.
Tensions in Ferguson began to mount almost immediately as word spread about the fatal shooting. Official account of the final 90 seconds
Riots erupted the following day involving hundreds of people. Dozens of shops were damaged, according to police, and at least one set on fire. Timeline of shooting
Although many protests were peaceful and despite Michael Brown's mother calling for calm, clashes continued over the coming days. What do other witnesses say happened?
Riot police fired tear gas and pepper spray, while demonstrators responded by hurling bottles and stones. Dorian Johnson was with Michael Brown at the time. After the initial exchange, Mr Johnson says the policeman reversed his vehicle, reached out and grabbed Mr Brown by the neck. The men engaged in a "tug of war", he says, holding onto each other's shirt and arms.
Many were angered when, on 15 August, the police released CCTV footage from the day of the shooting which appeared to show Mr Brown robbing a shop and threatening the owner. Mr Johnson says he heard Mr Wilson threaten to shoot. He did not see Mr Brown punch the officer and he did not believe Mr Brown had grabbed the officer's gun.
Darren Wilson later linked the footage to the shooting, though some protesters accused the police of orchestrating a smear campaign. He says Mr Brown stopped when the officer ran after him, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender. Mr Johnson says Mr Brown was shot in this position - rather than while charging at the officer.
The violence began to dissipate after Missouri Governor Jay Nixon declared a state of emergency on 16 August. Two days later the National Guard were dispatched to Ferguson. There are other witnesses who support what Officer Wilson says happened, but they haven't spoken to the media.
A grand jury panel then began hearing evidence in the case. Conflicting testimonies
What is a grand jury? What role does race play?
Unlike many countries, in the US the decision about whether to charge someone with a crime is often taken using a grand jury - a group of ordinary citizens from the community. In an interview with ABC News, Officer Wilson says he believed he acted correctly - and would have behaved no differently if Mr Brown had not been black.
They decide whether there is enough evidence to pursue a prosecution. The grand jury that judged whether to bring the officer to trial was composed of 12 citizens picked at random. Six were white men, three were white women, there was one black man and two black women.
While all states have provisions to allow for grand juries, only about half use them, with other states preferring to rely on a preliminary hearing to determine whether or not to indict a defendant. Race in America: The big question
Usually the only lawyer present in grand jury hearings is the prosecutor, who will present evidence. The jury has the power to request to see and hear any evidence it wants. Why has there been criticism of the legal process?
Grand jury proceedings are conducted behind closed doors to encourage witnesses to speak freely and to protect the defendant's reputation in case the jury does not indict. "This process is broken. This process should be indicted," said the Brown family's lawyer, Benjamin Crump.
Even though a grand jury may decide not to indict, a prosecutor could still bring the defendant to trial if they think they have a strong enough case. He said justice had not been served because Darren Wilson had not been cross-examined when he gave evidence to the grand jury.
In the case of the Ferguson shooting, the jury was comprised of 12 citizens, nine white and three black. "When was his credibility ever challenged?" he asked.
At least nine votes would have been needed in order to issue an indictment. Mr Crump also identified what he said were inconsistencies in the officer's evidence.
What did the jury decide? And he condemned what he called the "symbiotic relationship" between St Louis County prosecutor Robert McCulloch and the local police force.
The prosecuting attorney in the case, Robert McCulloch, said the grand jury met on 25 separate days over three months, hearing more than 70 hours of testimony from about 60 witnesses. The grand jury explained
"They are the only people that have heard and examined every witness and every piece of evidence," he said, adding that the jurors "poured their hearts and soul into this process".
The statements included those from the police officer at the centre of the shooting, Darren Wilson, who said he had only fired his weapon in self-defence.
Charged with deciding whether to indict Mr Wilson with any crime, jury members decided not to.
Officials did not say whether the decision was unanimous.
What next?What next?
The grand jury decision has already triggered widespread clashes in Ferguson, but it could also inflame racial tensions elsewhere across the country. The state investigation has now concluded but there are are two federal investigations by the US Justice Department still being done.
It comes after the controversy involving another black teenager, Trayvon Martin, an unarmed Florida schoolboy shot dead in February 2012 by a neighbourhood watch volunteer. One is into the shooting and possible civil rights violations that could lead to federal charges.
The volunteer, George Zimmerman, was later acquitted of murder and manslaughter charges. The other is a wider inquiry into the Ferguson Police Department, examining possible patterns of discrimination.
Other lines of inquiry are still open for investigators in the Michael Brown case. "The federal inquiry has been independent of the local one from the start, and remains so now," said US Attorney General Eric Holder
The Department of Justice is conducting a separate probe into possible civil rights violations that could lead to federal charges. In addition, Mr Brown's family have the option of filing a wrongful death lawsuit against Darren Wilson. They have not yet confirmed that as a course of action.
Officials from the department are also mounting a wider inquiry into the Ferguson Police Department, examining possible patterns of discrimination. There is also the possibility the case could inflame racial tensions elsewhere across the country, although the rallies so far have been largely peaceful.
In addition, Mr Brown's family have the option of filing a wrongful death lawsuit against Darren Wilson.