Senate panel considers stricter law on deadly force
JEFFERSON CITY (AP) - A Missouri Senate panel is considering tightening state law on what justifies the use of deadly force among police, months after a fatal police shooting in Ferguson.
Democratic Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal of University City presented her bill Tuesday to a Senate panel. She did so just hours after the U.S. Justice Department released a report concluding that former Ferguson officer Darren Wilson acted in self-defense when he shot 18-year-old Michael Brown last August.
Chappelle-Nadal's bill would overhaul a law currently allowing deadly force when an officer believes a suspect has attempted to commit a felony, is escaping with a deadly weapon or poses a serious danger to others.
The senator's bill would require an "objective" reasonable belief and require the felony offense to involve a serious physical injury.
2 senators call to disband Ferguson Police Dept.
JEFFERSON CITY (AP) - Two Missouri state senators are calling for the Ferguson Police Department to be dissolved following a scathing federal report that found widespread racial bias among officers.
Democratic Sens. Jamilah Nasheed and Maria Chappelle-Nadal on Wednesday said issues with the department run so deep that disbanding it completely is the best option.
The senators represent communities in the St. Louis area, including Ferguson.
Chappelle-Nadal of University City says she wants Ferguson to contract out policing to other local departments.
Ferguson employee fired, 2 on leave over emails
FERGUSON (AP) - Ferguson Mayor James Knowles says one police department employee was fired and two others are on administrative leave over racist emails uncovered in a Justice Department investigation into the city's law enforcement practices.
Knowles' comments at a press conference Wednesday were the first response from city leaders to the federal investigation that found systemic racial bias in law enforcement in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson. Knowles read a brief statement but did not take questions. Police Chief Tom Jackson did not attend.
McCulloch not surprised by Justice decision
CLAYTON, Mo. (AP) - St. Louis County prosecutor Bob McCulloch says he is not surprised by the Justice Department decision not to prosecute Ferguson officer Darren Wilson in the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown.
The Justice Department announced the decision Wednesday, the same day a second report found widespread problems with Ferguson police.
McCulloch was criticized by many after a St. Louis County grand jury announced in November that no state charges would be filed against Wilson, who is no longer an officer in Ferguson.
Asked if he felt vindicated by the Justice Department ruling, McCulloch says no because he knew that the evidence supported the grand jury decision. He says the criticism leveled at him was "unwarranted," but dealing with it is part of the job.
Michael Brown's family disappointed with Justice Department
ST. LOUIS (AP) - Michael Brown's uncle says a Department of Justice decision not to charge the Ferguson police officer who fatally shot his nephew is deflating.
Federal officials concluded there was no evidence to disprove Wilson's testimony that he feared for his safety, nor was there reliable evidence that Brown, who was unarmed, had his hands up in surrender when he was shot.
Brown's uncle, Charles Ewing, says the federal decision not to charge Wilson means justice in the case isn't coming.
Related video reports:
Ferguson Mayor James Knowles Responds To DOJ Report
Missouri Lawmakers Decry Ferguson Government And Police Department Actions
Ferguson Business Owners Weigh In
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