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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

More Controversy in|Ferguson Shooting Grand Jury

CLAYTON, Mo. (CN) - The St. Louis County Prosecutor's Office is investigating a possible leak on the grand jury investigating the shooting death of Michael Brown.

Court personnel Wednesday were alerted to a post on Twitter from someone claiming to know someone on the grand jury.

"I know someone sitting on the grand jury of this case There isn't enough at this point to warrant an arrest," a person using the Twitter handle @thesusannichols claimed at 9:45 a.m. Wednesday.

St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Robert P. McCulloch told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that his office was investigating, adding: "I'd be shocked if a member of the grand jury said anything."

The tweet drew responses that grand jury proceedings were supposed to be a secret. The account was deleted within minutes.

Even if it proves to be made up, the tweet further erodes Brown supporter's trust in McCulloch's investigation. Brown supporters have called for McCulloch to remove himself and let the feds handle the investigation due to conflicts of interest.

Brown, an unarmed 18-year-old black man, was shot to death by white Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson on Aug. 9. Brown's death spurred almost two months of sometimes violent protests in Ferguson streets. Protesters want Wilson indicted and criminally charged with Brown's murder.

Brown supporters claim McCulloch is pro-police, because McCulloch's father, a police offer, was killed by a black man in the line of duty.

McCulloch has refused to remove himself and Gov. Jay Nixon also refused to remove McCulloch from the investigation.

Ben Crump, an attorney for the Brown family, wants the matter investigated.

"If this allegation is true and there is a member of the grand jury who is discussing the case with Darren Wilson supporters, the appropriate thing for the prosecutor to do is impanel a new grand jury," Crump told The Washington Post. "If this person is discussing the case outside of the grand jury it is wholly inappropriate. It's an issue of fairness for Michael Brown's family."

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