Attorney General Eric Holder was critical on Monday of “the selective release of sensitive information” from the local investigation of the Ferguson, Mo. police shooting of Michael Brown.
“The selective release of sensitive information that we have seen in this case so far is troubling to me,” Holder said in a statement.
Local police have been criticized for releasing certain pieces of information following the Aug. 9 shooting of 18-year-old Brown by a Ferguson police officer. The Justice Department reportedly opposed the release of the police report on a robbery that Brown allegedly committed minutes before he was shot. The Brown family accused the police of “character assassination.”
On Monday, an anonymous source leaked to the Washington Post that Brown had marijuana in his system at the time of his death.
“I realize there is tremendous interest in the facts of the incident that led to Michael Brown’s death, but I ask for the public’s patience as we conduct this investigation,” Holder said. “No matter how others pursue their own separate inquiries, the Justice Department is resolved to preserve the integrity of its investigation. This is a critical step in restoring trust between law enforcement and the community, not just in Ferguson, but beyond.”
Holder also said that the Justice Department was performing its own autopsy Monday, conducted by “one of the most experienced medical examiners in the United States military.” Holder also confirmed that he would travel to Ferguson Wednesday.