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Ferguson cop testifies before grand jury about Michael Brown shooting

Darren Wilson testified for nearly four hours before the grand jury deciding whether to indict him in the shooting of Michael Brown.

By Gabrielle Levy

FERGUSON, Mo., Sept. 18 (UPI) -- The Ferguson police officer who shot and killed Michael Brown testified before a grand jury for nearly four hours Tuesday.

Darren Wilson, 28, was not obligated to appear before the grand jury. But a source told the St. Louis Dispatch that Wilson has been "cooperative," speaking with county investigators twice and once with federal investigators.

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The unusual move appears to be an effort by Prosecutor Robert McCulloch to gain the trust of the community that has called for him to step aside over suspicions he is biased in favor of police and allow a special prosecutor to take his place.

McCulloch has pledged to present every possible witness and each shred of evidence to the grand jury, who will then decide whether to indict Wilson. His office has previously said he expected evidence presentation to go until mid-October, but the term has been extended to January 7 at McCullouch's request.

"Every witness who has anything at all to say will be presented to the grand jury," he promised.

Defense attorneys rarely allow targets of an investigation to testify before a grand jury, because witnesses may not bring their lawyers in, and it tips the defense's hand.

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In this case, Wilson's testimony, and whether a jury ultimately believes he acted in self-defense, will be the key factor in the outcome of the case.

Wilson shot Brown, 18, on August 9, after the two were involved in a confrontation. Both sides say Brown and a friend were walking in the middle of the street, and Wilson drove up and asked (or shouted at them) to move.

Several people claiming to know Wilson's side of the story say he shot at Brown after the 6-foot-4 man charged at him, but eyewitnesses say Brown was running away, and the fatal shot was fired while the teen had his hands in the air.

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