Ferguson Police Investigating Whether Michael Brown’s Stepdad Incited A Riot

Ferguson police are looking into whether Louis Head, Michael Brown's stepfather, meant to incite a riot with his comments after a grand jury announced its decision not to indict white police Officer Darren Wilson in Brown's death.
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

Ferguson, Mo. police Chief Tom Jackson said Tuesday that his department is investigating whether the stepfather of Michael Brown intended to incite a riot after a grand jury decided not to indict the white police officer who fatally shot the unarmed teenager.

The New York Times had published video last week that showed Brown’s stepfather, Louis Head, consoling Brown’s weeping mother, Lesley McSpadden, before turning to the crowd around him and yelling “Burn this motherfucker down! Burn this bitch down!”

About 25 structures in Ferguson, including at least 14 businesses, were set ablaze in the widespread unrest that followed the announcement.

Jackson said police have been interviewing people who were with Head the night the grand jury decision was announced and intend to speak with Head himself soon, according to CNN. No charges have been filed.

The news outlet had not reached Head for comment.

Latest Livewire

Notable Replies

  1. “Ferguson, Mo. police Chief Tom Jackson said Tuesday that his department is investigating whether the stepfather of Michael Brown intended to incite a riot…”

    We can all take comfort knowing that should he be subject to a grand jury presentment, the prosecutor will make certain they hear all the evidence.

    Yeah, right.

  2. You can bet that McCulloch will indict him with or without a Grand Jury.

  3. they killed his family, and now they want to go after him for being upset about it…how much injustice must a man face before he’s allowed to be upset about it? #freedom

  4. Of course they are, because black people.

    Nothing could possibly be better designed to calm the unrest in Ferguson than lynching Brown’s stepdad, right?

    Teatroll Rosetta Stone says: “That’ll teach 'em. We’re gonna make an example out of this dirty fucking n-bomb and scare them all back into their hovels. Sometimes you gotta just remind the uppity sons of bitches who their betters are.”

  5. And before I forget:

    Guess which way the mostly white grand jury will vote on THIS one.

    Guess…

    Edit: In fact, I’ll be surprised if they even bother with one.

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

93 more replies

Participants

Avatar for valgalky23 Avatar for ajm Avatar for lockheedkeynesian Avatar for dr_coyote Avatar for anniew Avatar for jw1 Avatar for sooner Avatar for ichthus Avatar for deckbose Avatar for chammy Avatar for KenR4th Avatar for Dawn_Rainbow Avatar for fourlegsgood Avatar for sniffit Avatar for chatterboxing Avatar for Beulahmo Avatar for theghostofeustacetilley Avatar for ottnott Avatar for starquest Avatar for kitty Avatar for suicide_arsonist Avatar for MrBritesnide Avatar for thunderclapnewman Avatar for an_american

Continue Discussion
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: