Nov 21, 2014

Prosecutors are preparing a news conference to announce the decision of the grand jury weighing whether to bring charges against a white police officer who shot dead an unarmed black teenager in Ferguson, Missouri, officials said on Friday.

The grand jury was still in session on Friday and no date or time for the decision announcement was known, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office said. Officials have said a decision by the grand jury is expected by the end of the month.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder urged police to show restraint in dealing with any protests that may follow the grand jury’s decision on whether to indict the officer, Darren Wilson, in the Aug. 9 shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown.

Legal experts say the grand jury can consider charges ranging from first-degree murder to criminal negligence.

MORE: A new wave of protests against police | Photos that define the Ferguson protests | Scott Olson arrested documenting Ferguson unrest

: Volunteers board up the “I Love Ferguson” headquarters in preparation for the grand jury verdict in the shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, November 18, 2014. The grand jury is expected to reach a decision this month on whether to indict Darren Wilson, the white police officer who shot and killed the 18-year-old Brown, who was black, on Aug. 9 in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson. (Kate Munsch/Reuters)

: Volunteer, Mike Salant, boards windows at the “I Love Ferguson” headquarters in preparation for the grand jury verdict in the shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, November 18, 2014. The grand jury is expected to reach a decision this month on whether to indict Darren Wilson, the white police officer who shot and killed the 18-year-old Brown, who was black, on Aug. 9 in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson. (Kate Munsch/Reuters)

: A demonstrator yells during a protest over the shooting death of Michael Brown in front of the Ferguson Police Department in Ferguson, Missouri, November 17, 2014. Missouri’s governor declared a state of emergency on Monday and authorized the state’s National Guard to support police in case of violence after a grand jury decides whether to indict a white police officer, Darren Wilson, who fatally shot an unarmed black teenager. (Jim Young/Reuters)

: A demonstrator protests over the shooting death of Michael Brown in front of the Ferguson Police Department in Ferguson, Missouri, November 17, 2014. Missouri’s governor declared a state of emergency on Monday and authorized the state’s National Guard to support police in case of violence after a grand jury decides whether to indict Darren Wilson, a white police officer who fatally shot unarmed black teenager Brown. (Jim Young/Reuters)

: A demonstrator yells during a protest over the shooting death of Michael Brown in front of the Ferguson Police Department in Ferguson, Missouri, November 17, 2014. Missouri’s governor declared a state of emergency on Monday and authorized the state’s National Guard to support police in case of violence after a grand jury decides whether to indict Darren Wilson, a white police officer who fatally shot Brown, unarmed black teenager. (Jim Young/Reuters)

: Paul Morris board ups the “I Love Ferguson” store in preparation for the grand jury verdict in the shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, November 18, 2014. The grand jury is expected to reach a decision this month on whether to indict Darren Wilson, the white police officer who shot and killed the 18-year-old Brown, who was black, on Aug. 9 in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson. (Jim Young/Reuters)

: A demonstrator takes part in a protest over the shooting death of Michael Brown in front of the Ferguson Police Department in Ferguson, Missouri, November 17, 2014. Missouri’s governor declared a state of emergency on Monday and authorized the state’s National Guard to support police in case of violence after a grand jury decides whether to indict Darren Wilson, a white police officer who fatally shot Brown, an unarmed black teenager. (Jim Young/Reuters)

: Demonstrators march through the streets during a protest over the shooting death of Michael Brown in Clayton, Missouri, November 17, 2014. Several dozen demonstrators took to the streets Monday in Clayton, Missouri, where a grand jury is determining whether to file criminal charges against a white police officer who shot and killed an unarmed black teen in August. Protesters expressed anger that, 101 days after 18-year-old Brown was shot and killed in Ferguson, Missouri, it was still unclear what will happen to the officer, Wilson. (Jim Young/Reuters)

: Susan Akenbrand works on the boarding up of the “I Love Ferguson” store in preparation for the grand jury verdict in the shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, November 18, 2014. The grand jury is expected to reach a decision this month on whether to indict Darren Wilson, the white police officer who shot and killed the 18-year-old Brown, who was black, on Aug. 9 in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson. (Jim Young/Reuters)

: Workers board up the “I Love Ferguson” store in preparation for the grand jury verdict in the shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, November 18, 2014. The grand jury is expected to reach a decision this month on whether to indict Darren Wilson, the white police officer who shot and killed the 18-year-old Brown, who was black, on Aug. 9 in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson. (Jim Young/Reuters)

: Demonstrators protest the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown across from the police station on November 17, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Brown was killed by Darren Wilson, a Ferguson police officer, on August 9. A grand jury is expected to decide this month if Wilson should be charged in the shooting. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

: Demonstrators gather across the street from the Ferguson police station to protest the shooting death of Michael Brown by a Ferguson police officer on November 16, 2014 in St. Louis, Missouri. The area around St Louis, Missouri prepares for the grand jury decision in the shooting death of Michael Brown by Darren Wilson, a Ferguson police officer. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

: A demonstrator stands next to the Ferguson police station while protesting the shooting death of Michael Brown by a Ferguson police officer on November 17, 2014 in St. Louis, Missouri. The area around St Louis, Missouri prepares for the grand jury decision in the shooting death of Michael Brown by Darren Wilson, a Ferguson police officer. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

: Melisa Hutchings (L), Tracy Reust and Daniel Wentz walk past a sign reading, “Ferguson Proud Pray for Peace and Progress,” as they carry a cat from the Ferguson Animal Hospital where they placed plywood on the windows to try to protect the business from any violent reaction to the grand jury decision on November 17, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. The area around St Louis, Missouri prepares for the release of the grand jury decision in the shooting death of Michael Brown by Darren Wilson, a Ferguson police officer. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

: Tony (L) and Tim, who didn’t want to provide their last names, place plywood over a window as they prepare to try to protect a business from any violent reaction to the grand jury decision on November 17, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. The area around St Louis, Missouri prepares for the release of the grand jury decision in the shooting death of Michael Brown by Darren Wilson, a Ferguson police officer. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

: Demonstrators march through the streets during a protest over the shooting death of Michael Brown in Clayton, Missouri, November 17, 2014. Several dozen demonstrators took to the streets Monday in Clayton, Missouri, where a grand jury is determining whether to file criminal charges against a white police officer who shot and killed an unarmed black teen in August. Protesters expressed anger that, 101 days after 18-year-old Brown was shot and killed in Ferguson, Missouri, it was still unclear what will happen to the officer, Wilson. (Jim Young/Reuters)

: A demonstrator blocks an street intersection during a protest over the shooting death of Michael Brown in Clayton, Missouri, November 17, 2014. Several dozen demonstrators took to the streets Monday in Clayton, Missouri, where a grand jury is determining whether to file criminal charges against a white police officer who shot and killed an unarmed black teen in August. Protesters expressed anger that, 101 days after 18-year-old Brown was shot and killed in Ferguson, Missouri, it was still unclear what will happen to the officer, Wilson. (Jim Young/Reuters)

: Demonstrators take part in a protest in front of the building where the grand jury is looking into the shooting death of Michael Brown in Clayton, Missouri, November 17, 2014. Several dozen demonstrators took to the streets Monday in Clayton, Missouri, where a grand jury is determining whether to file criminal charges against a white police officer who shot and killed an unarmed black teen in August. Protesters expressed anger that, 101 days after 18-year-old Brown was shot and killed in Ferguson, Missouri, it was still unclear what will happen to the officer, Wilson. (Jim Young/Reuters)

: Aaron Jeremiah, of Houston, leaves a memento at a memorial near the location where 18-year-old Michael Brown was shot on November 16, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Brown was killed by Darren Wilson, a Ferguson police officer, on August 9. Residents in the area are on edge as they wait to hear if the grand jury will vote to indict Wilson for the shooting. The decision is expected sometime in November. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

: Rebeca Maldonado, of Chicago, visits a memorial near the location where 18-year-old Michael Brown was shot on November 16, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Brown was killed by Darren Wilson, a Ferguson police officer, on August 9. Residents in the area are on edge as they wait to hear if the grand jury will vote to indict Wilson for the shooting. The decision is expected sometime in November. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

: People watch as demonstrators march through the streets as people await a grand jury decision on November 16, 2014 in St. Louis, Missouri. The area around St Louis, Missouri prepares for the grand jury decision in the shooting death of Michael Brown by Darren Wilson, a Ferguson police officer. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

: A Washington University in St Louis police officer looks on as a demonstrator lays on the ground during a mock death protest of the shooting death of Michael Brown by a Ferguson police officer on November 16, 2014 in St. Louis, Missouri. The area around St Louis, Missouri prepares for the grand jury decision in the shooting death of Michael Brown by Darren Wilson, a Ferguson police officer. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

: Plywood covers the glass front of a strip mall along West Florissant Street on November 14, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Many businesses along West Florissant are boarded-up as residents prepare for the grand jury decision in the shooting death of Michael Brown. Many of the stores along the street were looted and vandalized during rioting which broke out after Brown was killed by Darren Wilson, a Ferguson police officer. The city is hoping to avoid a repeat of those riots if the grand jury investigating the shooting does not find justification to prosecute Wilson. The grand jurys decision is expected sometime in November. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

: Metro Shooting Supplies’ employee Chris Cox speaks to a customer about the purchase of a 9mm handgun in Bridgeton, Missouri, November 13, 2014. The store has reported an increase in gun sales as the area waits for a grand jury to reach a decision this month on whether to indict Darren Wilson, the white police officer who shot and killed the 18-year-old Mike Brown, who was black, on Aug. 9 in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson. (Jim Young/Reuters)

: Michael Brown’s family attorney Benjamin Crump speaks about the grand jury process in Clayton, Missouri, November 13, 2014. The grand jury is expected to reach a decision this month on whether to indict Darren Wilson, the white police officer who shot and killed the 18-year-old Brown, who was black, on Aug. 9 in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson. (Jim Young/Reuters)

: Demonstrators lay on the ground in a mock death protest of the shooting death of Michael Brown by a Ferguson police officer on November 16, 2014 in St. Louis, Missouri. The area around St Louis, Missouri prepares for the grand jury decision in the shooting death of Michael Brown by Darren Wilson, a Ferguson police officer. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

: Demonstrators yell “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot” alongside a highway overpass to voice their opinions as the area awaits a grand jury decision on November 15, 2014 near Ferguson, Missouri. The area around St Louis, Missouri prepares for the grand jury decision in the shooting death of Michael Brown by Darren Wilson, a Ferguson police officer. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

: A demonstrator stares down a police officer during a protest marking the 101st day since 18-year-old Michael Brown was killed on November 17, 2014 in Clayton, Missouri. Brown was killed by Darren Wilson, a Ferguson police officer, on August 9. A grand jury in Clayton is sorting through evidence from the shooting to decide if Wilson should be charged in the shooting. The decision is expected sometime this month. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

: Police confront demonstrators protesting the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown outside the police station on November 19, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Brown was killed by Darren Wilson, a Ferguson police officer, on August 9. A grand jury is expected to decide this month if Wilson should be charged in the shooting. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

: Vinny Casalotta hangs a sign on the wall of a new addition to the police station on November 20, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Ferguson police have been faced with months of sometimes violent protests following the shooting death of Michael Brown by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson on August 9. A grand jury is expected to decide this month if Wilson should be charged in the shooting. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) Vinny Casalotta hangs a sign on the wall of a new addition to the police station on November 20, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Ferguson police have been faced with months of sometimes violent protests following the shooting death of Michael Brown by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson on August 9. A grand jury is expected to decide this month if Wilson should be charged in the shooting. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

: Police confront demonstrators protesting the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown outside the police station on November 20, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. At least three people were arrested during the protest. Brown was killed by Darren Wilson, a Ferguson police officer, on August 9. A grand jury is expected to decide this month if Wilson should be charged in the shooting. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

: Police guard the police station as demonstrators protest the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown on November 20, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. At least three people were arrested during the protest. Brown was killed by Darren Wilson, a Ferguson police officer, on August 9. A grand jury is expected to decide this month if Wilson should be charged in the shooting. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

: Demonstrators protest the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown outside the police station on November 20, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. At least three people were arrested during the protest. Brown was killed by Darren Wilson, a Ferguson police officer, on August 9. A grand jury is expected to decide this month if Wilson should be charged in the shooting. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

: Police officers hold position during a protest on November 20, 2014 outside the Ferguson Police Department in Ferguson, Missouri. The governor of the US State of Missouri declared a state of emergency November 17th and activated the National Guard ahead of a grand jury decision in the case of a black teenager, 18 year-old Michael Brown, shot and killed by a white police officer. Many fear an outbreak of violence if the St. Louis County grand jury fails to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in the August 9th shooting death. (Michael B. Thomas/AFP/Getty Images)

: Protesters shout towards police as they demand the criminal indictment of a white police officer who shot dead an unarmed black teenager in August, outside the Ferguson Police Station in Missouri November 20, 2014. The St. Louis suburb of Ferguson has been bracing for months to learn whether a St. Louis County grand jury will charge police officer Darren Wilson in the slaying of 18-year-old Michael Brown, a case that has become a flashpoint for often-troubled U.S. race relations. (Adrees Latif/Reuters)

: Artist Damon Davis poses for a photograph in front of his art project called #AllHandsOnDeck, which features pictures of hands hung up on boarded-up shop fronts in Ferguson, Missouri November 20, 2014. “The aim of the project is to promote solidarity, hope and inspiration,” Davis said. The St. Louis suburb has been bracing for months to learn whether a St. Louis County grand jury will charge police officer Darren Wilson in the slaying of 18-year-old Michael Brown, a case that has become a flashpoint for often-troubled U.S. race relations. (Adrees Latif/Reuters)

: A resident walks past a sign outside a business in Ferguson, Missouri November 20, 2014. The St. Louis suburb has been bracing for months to learn whether a St. Louis County grand jury will charge police officer Darren Wilson in the slaying of 18-year-old Michael Brown, a case that has become a flashpoint for often-troubled U.S. race relations. (Adrees Latif/Reuters)

: Activist artists paste images, part of the #AllHandsOnDeck project by artist Damon Davis, on top of boarded-up businesses in Ferguson, Missouri November 20, 2014. The St. Louis suburb has been bracing for months to learn whether a St. Louis County grand jury will charge police officer Darren Wilson in the slaying of 18-year-old Michael Brown, a case that has become a flashpoint for often-troubled U.S. race relations. “The aim of the project is to promote solidarity, hope and inspiration,” Davis said. (Adrees Latif/Reuters)

: Activists, wearing Guy Fawkes masks, block traffic while protesting the shooting of Michael Brown, outside the Ferguson Police Station in Missouri, November 19, 2014. Residents of Ferguson prepared on Wednesday for a grand jury report expected soon on the fatal August shooting of Brown, an event that laid bare long-simmering racial tensions in the St. Louis suburb. (Adrees Latif/Reuters)

: An activist artist pastes images, part of the #AllHandsOnDeck project by artist Damon Davis, on top of boarded-up businesses in Ferguson, Missouri November 19, 2014. The St. Louis suburb has been bracing for months to learn whether a St. Louis County grand jury will charge police officer Darren Wilson in the slaying of 18-year-old Michael Brown, a case that has become a flashpoint for often-troubled U.S. race relations. “The aim of the project is to promote solidarity, hope and inspiration,” Davis said. (Adrees Latif/Reuters)

: From left to right, students Daizha Jones, Kyle Turk, Aviauna Williams and Jayla Williams take down a flag as the school day ends at Riverview Gardens High School in St. Louis. Illustrates FERGUSON (category a), by Wesley Lowery © 2014, The Washington Post. Moved Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014. (Washington Post photo by Jahi Chikwendiu)

Groups from across the country have said they would take to the streets again in large numbers if charges were not brought, prompting local police to draw up contingency plans for possible fresh violence.

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has already declared a state of emergency and called in National Guard troops to back up local police in anticipation of protests.

As tensions simmered in the St. Louis suburb over a case that has become a flashpoint for U.S. race relations, police in riot gear arrested three people in overnight protests that led to scuffles, St. Louis County police said. Police said they doused one demonstrator with pepper spay for resisting arrest.

Lawyers for Brown’s family say he was trying to surrender when the officer shot him. Wilson’s supporters say he shot Brown in self-defense.

Holder said the Justice Department was providing new guidance to law enforcement authorities about how to approach maintaining public safety while safeguarding the free speech rights of protesters. – Tribune wire reports

Ferguson remains on edge ahead of grand jury report

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