Officer confident he won't face trial
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The suburban St. Louis police officer who fatally shot Michael Brown seems confident that he will not face criminal charges from a grand jury that has been investigating the case for several months, a police union official said Thursday.
Jeff Roorda, business manager for the St. Louis Police Officers’ Association, said he met Thursday with Ferguson officer Darren Wilson, who has remained secluded from the public eye since the Aug. 9 shooting that sparked tense and occasionally violent protests.
Wilson has been under a lot of pressure and stress but appeared confident in the outcome of the grand jury investigation, Roorda said.
“It’s fair to say that neither he nor his defense team expect an indictment,” Roorda said, offering his impression of the situation based on the meeting with Wilson.
Roorda later told the AP in a text message that he was only speaking for himself.
“Wilson seems confident that justice will be served, but neither he nor his attorneys shared any expectations with me,” he said in the text.
Neil Bruntrager, one of Wilson’s attorneys, who also attended Thursday’s meeting, said there was no specific discussion of expectations.
If he is indicted, Wilson will immediately turn himself in to authorities, Bruntrager said.
Wilson has been on paid administrative leave since the shooting.
A 12-person St. Louis County grand jury has been hearing evidence in the case as it weighs whether to issue charges against the white officer for the black 18-year-old’s death. A decision could come soon, though authorities have not publicized any specific date for an announcement.
Roorda said St. Louis city police have been notified that they are switching to 12-hour shifts starting Saturday, a preparation for a potential uptick in protests.
