A heartbreaking outburst from a grieving stepfather? Or inflammatory instigation for a riot? Ferguson Police Department decides.
According to CNN, Ferguson authorities are formally investigating whether or not Michael Brown’s stepfather, Louis Head, carries some blame for the riots that erupted in Ferguson last week. Upon hearing the grand jury’s decision not to indict Darren Wilson, Head shouted in front of demonstrators “Burn this Motherf—– down! ” No charges have been filed against Head, but police are interviewing people who know him and were present at the announcement of the verdict. Ferguson police also intend to pursue those directly responsible for participating in the riots.
” We can’t let all that happened in Ferguson and Dellwood and the community die.” stated Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson “Everyone who is responsible for taking away people’s property, their livelihoods, their jobs, their businesses-every single one of them needs to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law” .
More than a dozen local businesses were engulfed in flames as Ferguson errupted in violent protests last Monday. Brown’s mother, Lesley McSpadden, spoke on behalf of her husband in an interview with CNN and admitted that both of their emotions were running understandably high. She also expressed that she doesn’t believe his words incited a riot.
” It’s one thing to speak, and its a different thing to act. ” stated McSpadden “He did not act. He just spoke out of anger. We’ve all spoken out of anger before.”
Benjamin Crump, attorney to the Brown family, has acknowledged Head’s remarks were inappropriate but also asked the public not to condemn Head for a momentary expression of anger. He reminded the public of the family’s ceaseless requests for peaceful protests.
Despite the existence of riots prior to Mr. Head’s comment, some are calling for punishment, including Missouri Lt. Gov Peter Kinder. Kinder spoke with radio host Laura Ingraham last week and stated “[Louis Head] should be arrested and charged with inciting to riot”. An opinionated man, Mr. Kinder also criticized Preident Obama’s decision to seek advice on Ferguson from Rev. Al Sharpton telling Fox News ” I cannot imagine any previous American president of either party welcoming an inciter of mobs like Rev. Sharpton into the White House.”
– In Alex’s opinion, you cannot incite the inevitable. What say you? Tweet her @Y_iOUWTA
