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Michael Brown's Parents Unmoved by Ferguson Chief's Apology

Michael Brown's parents say they are unmoved by the Ferguson, Missouri, police chief's apology in their son's shooting death by a police officer.
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The parents of Michael Brown said Saturday in an interview with The Associated Press they were unmoved by the apology of the Ferguson, Missouri, police chief gave weeks after their unarmed 18-year-old son was killed by a police officer. Brown's mother, Lesley McSpadden, said, "yes," when asked if Chief Tom Jackson should be fired, and his father, Michael Brown Sr., said rather than an apology, they would rather see Officer Darren Wilson arrested for the death of their son on Aug. 9.

"An apology would be when Darren Wilson has handcuffs, processed and charged with murder," Brown Sr. said.

Jackson released a video apology to Brown's family and the community in which he acknowledged that Brown's body should have been removed from the street much sooner than it was. The young man's remains lay uncovered for more than four hours while police collected evidence.

"I don't want words, I want action," McSpadden said.

"I'm empty," Brown said quietly. "There's nothing there anymore. It's hard to fill that spot with other happiness."

Brown's parents are in the nation's capital to meet with lawmakers and lobby Congress to pass a law requiring police officers to wear cameras during their interactions with the public. They also called on the Justice Department to take over the criminal investigation into the shooting. The Justice Department is already investigating whether Brown's civil rights were violated, and a county grand jury is weighing whether to indict Wilson.

"All of our eyes see the same thing, that it was wrong, an injustice. Why wouldn't they come back with an indictment?" McSpadden said.

IN-DEPTH

- The Associated Press