A law professor in Indiana is predicting a repeat of the Rodney King riots that wracked Los Angeles if Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson is not brought up on charges.
“The LA riots with Rodney King is what should be expected to happen in Ferguson,” Jeannine Bell, a professor of law at Indiana University Maurer School of Law, told CBS St. Louis. “Brown’s death was very detrimental to the community. The individuals who are protesting now have suggested in speaking to the press given the ongoing protests in Ferguson that that could happen.”
Autopsies have shown that Wilson was attacked by Michael Brown and the teen had tried to grab the officer’s firearm.
“I think he’s unlikely to be indicted, based on the leaks in recent weeks,” said Clarissa Hayward, an associate professor in the political science department at Washington University in St. Louis. “There’s been much apprehension about that. The local police have purchased more riot gear and some of the local school districts have requested that the announcement not come on a school day. What I have observed about the protesters is that they are peaceful day in and day out. I think we need to be very careful about using the word ‘riot,’ which suggests that’s not the case. But could see violence following the announcement of the grand jury decision? Yes, that’s a real possibility.”
“Surely people will be angry if Wilson is not indicted, but people are already angry,” Hayward said. “And with a large group of people who are angry, especially if the police don’t handle the situation well, there likely will be conflict. In St. Louis there are protests every single day. If he is indicted those are not likely to stop. Still, I think that would be a positive thing for the city, because a public trial would introduce much-needed transparency. The reason that Ferguson has captured the nation’s attention is that it stands for a larger problem that exists all over the United States.”
In other words, it is irrelevant if a grand jury decides there is not enough evidence to indict Wilson. According to Brown’s supporters the political dimension of the Michael Brown shooting with its attendant social issues are more important than justice.
This situation is now possible in America due to a political orthodoxy developed over the last three decades by the left – in particular, the development of a victimhood culture – have skewered centuries of common law.
If Wilson is indicted and convicted despite evidence showing he acted in self-defense, a message will be sent not only to police but to all Americans – killing a member of a government protected minority in self-defense will not be excusable and will be considered tantamount to murder.
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