Lawyers for the family of Michael Brown appealed for restraint Thursday from both demonstrators and police when a grand jury announces its decision on whether to indict the officer who shot Brown to death in August.
“We do not condone any acts of rioting, looting or violence,” said Anthony Gray, one of the lawyers. He implored law enforcement officers not to repeat the “excessive behavior and agitation” of the turbulent summer in Ferguson, Missouri.
Gov. Jay Nixon said earlier this week that he was keeping the National Guard on call in case things get out of hand when the grand jury decides whether to charge the officer, Darren Wilson, in the killing of Brown, an unarmed teenager.
Dr. Michael Baden, a forensic pathologist who performed an autopsy for the family, testified to the grand jury on Thursday. The lawyers would not discuss his testimony, but Baden has said that he found no physical sign of a struggle between Brown and Wilson.
“We think there’s enough probable cause that exists to charge the police officer with killing an unarmed teenager,” Benjamin Crump, another lawyer for the family, said Thursday.
IN-DEPTH
- Unusual Move: Brown Family Coroner Called to Grand Jury
- Who Is Dr. Michael Baden, the Coroner Who Examined Michael Brown?