Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now

Michael Brown’s family is going to sue Darren Wilson

  1. At a press conference Thursday morning, Anthony Gray, attorney for the family of Michael Brown, announced plans to file a civil case against former Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson, who shot and killed Brown on August 9, 2014. Daryl Parks, another member of the legal team, said the city of Ferguson would also be named in the suit.
  2. The Department of Justice announced Wednesday that the Obama administration will not press civil rights charges against Wilson.
  3. A grand jury decided in November 2014 not to charge Wilson in Brown's death.
  4. A broader federal investigation into civil rights violations by Ferguson police and municipal officials found a pattern of racial bias by police officers, and concluded that they regularly violated the constitutional rights of the city's African-American residents.

A different legal standard

Parks and Gray pointed out that the standard of proof in a civil suit would differ from the one the Justice Department contemplated in its decision not to bring federal charges against Wilson, suggesting that it would be easier to meet. Parks said the Brown family does “not accept” the idea that Wilson acted in self-defense when he killed Brown.

Further reading

Feds won’t file civil rights charges against Darren Wilson for killing Michael Brown

Can Ferguson do what it takes to reform its police?

The 6 most damning findings from the DOJ’s report on racism in the city of Ferguson

Read the full, shocking Department of Justice report on racism in the Ferguson PD

Culture
The US’s biggest tennis stars don’t really want to get political. They might not have a choice.The US’s biggest tennis stars don’t really want to get political. They might not have a choice.
Culture

The biggest storyline at the 2026 Australian Open is Americans being asked about Trump.

By Alex Abad-Santos
Politics
How long can ICE keep ignoring federal courts?How long can ICE keep ignoring federal courts?
Politics

A federal judge just threatened to hold the agency’s leader in contempt.

By Ian Millhiser
Podcasts
How Democrats — and even a few Republicans — in Congress are moving to rein in ICEHow Democrats — and even a few Republicans — in Congress are moving to rein in ICE
Podcast
Podcasts

Alex Pretti’s death has pushed more and more lawmakers into saying something must be done.

By Miles Bryan and Noel King
Podcasts
Can the ICE shooter be prosecuted?Can the ICE shooter be prosecuted?
Podcast
Podcasts

The answer could hinge on a Supreme Court ruling from 1890 — and another from 2025.

By Ariana Aspuru and Noel King
Podcasts
The Minnesotans trying to stop ICEThe Minnesotans trying to stop ICE
Podcast
Podcasts

Since Renee Good’s killing, more residents are trying to protect their neighbors themselves.

By Danielle Hewitt and Noel King
Podcasts
“There’s a fight to be had here”: A local reporter on the pain and resolve in Minneapolis“There’s a fight to be had here”: A local reporter on the pain and resolve in Minneapolis
Podcast
Podcasts

The Twin Cities were already on edge. Now they’re full of anguish.

By Hady Mawajdeh and Noel King