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Ferguson police officer unlikely to face civil rights charges in teen's shooting

Officials don't think they have enough evident to file civil rights charges against the Missouri cop who shot a black teen, sources say.

By Mary Papenfuss

FERGUSON, Mo., Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Federal officials don't believe they have a strong enough case to merit civil rights charges against the white Missouri police officer who shot a black teenager in the town of Ferguson nearly three months ago.

The unraveling of the federal investigation comes as the tense town awaits the decision of a grand jury on what criminal charges, if any, police officer Darren Wilson will face in the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown. Wilson has said he was defending himself as he struggled for control of his gun in a confrontation with Brown. At least one witness has said Brown's hands were raised when he was shot.

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If no charges are brought again Wilson, the streets of Ferguson could again erupt in violence. Following days of protests after the shooting in the St. Louis suburb, Attorney General Eric Holder traveled to Ferguson to meet with city and protest leaders to calm the situation, and vowed to launch the civil right probe.

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Even though charges are unlikely against Wilson, sources told the Washington Post, the Justice Department will continue its probe into the general practices of the Ferguson police department which could result in reforms.

"It's pretty clear that the need for wholesale change in that department is appropriate," Holder said this week in remarks that drew a stinging rebuke from Ferguson's police chief.

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