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11 things we learned from Darren Wilson’s account in the Ferguson grand jury evidence

Ferguson, Missouri, police officer Darren Wilson at the hospital following the August 9 shooting of Michael Brown.
Ferguson, Missouri, police officer Darren Wilson at the hospital following the August 9 shooting of Michael Brown.
Ferguson, Missouri, police officer Darren Wilson at the hospital following the August 9 shooting of Michael Brown.
St. Louis County Attorney’s Office

Following the grand jury’s decision on November 24 to not indict Ferguson, Missouri, police officer Darren Wilson for shooting and killing Michael Brown, St. Louis County Attorney Robert McCulloch released all the evidence presented to the grand jury.

Within that evidence is the clearest insight we have yet into Wilson’s side of the story. Throughout, the police officer, who is reportedly in talks with his department to resign, used language that painted the black teen, a recent high school graduate who had been preparing to start college when he died, as a mindless brute — a giant capable of murdering him with a single punch. He compared himself to a small child in Brown’s presence.

This characterization of Brown seemed to have worked — the law says police officers can use deadly force if they have a reasonable belief that their lives or the lives of others are in danger, even it it’s not actually the case.

Here are 11 outtakes from the photographic evidence, Wilson’s initial interview with a detective, and testimony to the grand jury, that give an insight into Wilson’s story and his portrayal of Brown on the stand.

1) Wilson compared Brown to WWE wrestler Hulk Hogan

Wilson Hulk Hogan

2) Despite the Hulk Hogan vs. a five-year-old comparison, Wilson isn’t much shorter than Brown, who was 6 feet 5 inches and 289 pounds

Wilson height weight

3) Wilson claimed Brown told him he was “too much of a pussy to shoot”

Wilson Brown gun

4) Wilson claimed Brown charged at him through gunfire

Wilson charge 1
Wilson charge 2

5) Wilson felt “manipulated” during the initial encounter

Wilson manipulated

6) Wilson said he realized Brown was the robbery suspect after the initial stop

Wilson robbery

7) Wilson thought Brown could punch him to death or unconsciousness

Wilson punch

8) Brown’s attacks left some marks on Wilson’s face and neck

9) Wilson said Brown posed a threat to himself and others

Wilson threat Brown

10) Wilson didn’t carry a Taser because it’s uncomfortable

Wilson taser

11) Wilson carried mace and an ASP (baton), but he deemed both ineffective

Wilson nonlethal weapons 1
Wilson nonlethal weapons 2

To learn more about the Brown shooting and the legal issues surrounding it, read Vox’s explainer and watch the two-minute video below:


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