Venable partner Seth Rosenthal was interviewed by Missouri Lawyers Weekly on December 1, 2014 and MSNBC’s Weekends with Alex Witt on November 29 about the ongoing federal investigation into the shooting death of Michael Brown by police officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri. Last week, a grand jury declined to bring charges against Officer Wilson, however the Department of Justice is continuing to investigate the matter and considering federal charges.
“The standard for a federal prosecutor to prove her case beyond a reasonable doubt is more difficult than the standard for a state prosecutor,” Rosenthal told Missouri Lawyers Weekly adding that “the types of civil-rights violations that most typically lead to federal prosecutions are more clear cut.”
Appearing on MSNBC, Rosenthal discussed possible federal charges, including the use of excessive force, and the difficulty of meeting the legal standard in federal charges. He also said federal prosecutors can only consider the evidence and cannot be influenced by protests and riots across the nation and in Ferguson when making their decision.
“The standard for a federal prosecutor to prove her case beyond a reasonable doubt is more difficult than the standard for a state prosecutor,” Rosenthal told Missouri Lawyers Weekly adding that “the types of civil-rights violations that most typically lead to federal prosecutions are more clear cut.”
Appearing on MSNBC, Rosenthal discussed possible federal charges, including the use of excessive force, and the difficulty of meeting the legal standard in federal charges. He also said federal prosecutors can only consider the evidence and cannot be influenced by protests and riots across the nation and in Ferguson when making their decision.