Grand Jury Decisions in Missouri and New York
Fate of Officers Determined in Brown and Garner Cases
By Ken Zimmerman Damon Hewitt
Two grand juries have recently made decisions regarding the fate of police officers involved in the deaths of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and Eric Garner in Staten Island, New York. These decisions have sparked widespread debate and drawn attention to the role of grand juries in the criminal justice system.
Grand Jury Process
A grand jury is a group of citizens who are tasked with determining whether there is probable cause to believe that a person has committed a crime. In order to indict someone, the jury must establish that there is a reasonable belief that the person committed the crime. States do not use grand juries.
Ferguson and Staten Island Cases
In the Ferguson case, the grand jury declined to indict Officer Darren Wilson, who shot and killed Michael Brown. In the Staten Island case, the grand jury also declined to indict Officer Daniel Pantaleo, who was involved in the death of Eric Garner. These decisions have been met with widespread criticism from those who believe that the officers should have been charged with crimes.
Controversy and Debate
The grand jury decisions have raised questions about the role of grand juries in the criminal justice system. Some argue that grand juries are too secretive and that they do not provide enough accountability for law enforcement officers. Others argue that grand juries are an important part of the system and that they help to ensure that people are not wrongfully charged with crimes.
Next Steps
The decisions in the Ferguson and Staten Island cases are likely to continue to be debated for some time. These cases have highlighted the need for a closer examination of the role of grand juries in the criminal justice system. It remains to be seen whether any changes will be made to the way that grand juries operate.
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