General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: I work with teens Michael Brown's age and the number one rule is [View all]TexasMommaWithAHat
(3,212 posts)is that he had the good sense to be terrified of getting caught for the theft of the cigarillos. (In fact, the ones that M.B. handed over to him he put back.) In his own words he talks about how Michael Brown's actions stunned him. They were so brazen. It's not like he tried to sneak out with a beer, or a candy bar, or one or two cigarillos. He brazenly took them, then bullied the store owner.
What in the hell was in Brown's mind that day?
I'm having a hard time believing that a cop who NEVER had shot his gun before, would escalate this situation on his own. It took two to tango, I'm afraid, and the law is on the cop's side.
Do I believe Michael Brown should have been judged guilty and sentenced to death for shoplifting? Hell, no. But something was wrong in that kid's mind that morning, and he is partially responsible for his death.