The Rev. Carlton Lee, chapter president of the National Action Network’s Ferguson, MO chapter, the family of Michael Brown and their attorney Anthony Gray have again called for the immediate arrest of Darren Wilson.
The Ferguson police officer is still on paid administrative leave and his exact whereabouts are unknown – more than two months after Wilson fatally shot Brown, an unarmed teen, on August 9.
“Our question is Mr. McCulloch, Gov. Nixon and all of those others why have there not been an arrest made 57 days later,” Lee asked at a press conference at the Flood Christian Church, 7413 W. Florissant Ave.
Lee serves as senior pastor at the Flood Christian Church and the press conference followed his aptly entitled “Arrest Him Now” sermon. St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Bob McCulloch has refused to recuse himself from the case. Last month, McCulloch told The St. Louis American that Gov. Jay Nixon could have legally removed him from the case under the state of emergency, but that the governor failed to act. The community has expressed concern about McCulloch’s ability to fairly prosecute the case.
“What we’re asking for is that you guys by-pass this grand jury fiasco and Mr. McCulloch you charge him with murder,” Lee said of Wilson.
Turning toward Michael Brown Sr., Lee said one can see the anguish on the father’s face and that the Brown family want justice to be served. Michael Brown Sr. was joined by his wife, Calvina, and declined to make any comments. Michael Brown Sr. wore an “Arrest him now!” T-shirt with Wilson’s image on it. Lee pleaded directly to Wilson to do the “manly thing” and turn himself in. The small congregation gathered inside the storefront church clapped in agreement.
“Right now!” they chimed in.
Gray began his remarks with a disclaimer stating that the group is not anti-police, but rather “pro-police.”
“We’re against this police officer,” Gray said.
Gray said they continue to seek a fair and transparent process – and that the Brown family has obtained everything but that. He said the standard is probable cause and that the question is simple.
Gray said, “When Michael Brown Jr. turned around and put his hands in the air, as a universal sign of surrender [and] after that he was shot, is that a crime? I don’t think nobody disagrees with me that that would be a crime.”
He referenced the recent case of the white state trooper in South Carolina who was arrested and subsequently fired for shooting an unarmed black motorist with his hands in the air. Gray said this is not about whether or not Wilson is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the grand jury process.
“All we’re trying to determine is whether or not there’s probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed and that Darren Wilson is the person that committed it,” Gray said.
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