THE POLICE OFFICER who shot dead unarmed black teen Michael Brown in August has reportedly said he “has a clean conscience” about the incident.
Darren Wilson killed 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri on 9 August, but a grand jury in nearby St Louis last night ruled he would not stand trial on criminal charges.
That decision prompted rioting, looting as well as peaceful protesting in Ferguson, St Louis, and throughout the United States overnight.
But in an exclusive interview with US network ABC News, to be aired this evening, Wilson has spoken about the incident for the first time.
In a short preview of the interview, anchor George Stephanopoulos said Wilson was regretful about Brown’s death, but “would not do anything different.”
Did he shoot towards Michael brown’s back? He said ‘No.’
He said Michael Brown reached into his car, grabbed for his gun, and that’s why he feared for his life…
He did say he was sorry for the loss of Michael Brown’s life…
He would not do anything different that day, he did what he was trained to do…He has a clean conscience…
Wilson also reportedly said that his actions would have been no different if Brown were not African-American.
The facts of the shooting remain a contentious subject among some observers, and the timing and content of Wilson’s interview are likely to increase tensions, as authorities in several American cities prepare for a second night of disruption.
One American TV industry insider has reported that Wilson was not paid in any way for the interview.
You can trawl through the details of the Michael Brown case with the New York Times’ exhaustive collection of official documents and photographs, and you can catch up with the rest of our coverage here.
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