Darren Wilson News: Ferguson Activists To File Suit Against Prosecutor Bob McCulloch In Former Officer's Case

Several Ferguson, Missouri, organizers have come together to co-sponsor a lawsuit targeting St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Bob McCulloch for alleged misconduct in the investigation of the police officer who shot and killed an unarmed black teen last summer in the St. Louis suburb. A group of prominent area activists said the county attorney had no intention of convicting now-former police officer Darren Wilson, thus neglecting his sworn duties. A hearing is scheduled for April 24.

Montague Simmons and Juliette Jacobs of The Organization for Black Struggle, community activist Tara Thompson and Board Chair of The Ethics Project Redditt Hudson are co-sponsoring an effort that accuses McCulloch of mishandling the highly publicized trial and seeks to oust him from office. A circuit court judge would have to appoint a prosecutor for the trial.

Michael Brown, 18, was shot by Wilson on Aug. 9, 2014. Subsequent investigations showed that of the traffic violations issued by the city's police force 85 percent went to black residents, who were also involved in 88 percent of use-of-force cases. According to the Department of Justice report, African-Americans accounted for 93 percent of all arrests in Ferguson. Emails released to the Washington Post revealed multiple racist remarks made by Ferguson public employees.

Ferguson has been in a state of flux since the murder of Brown sparked riots in the town, which is populated by mostly black residents but policed by white officers. Earlier in April, town residents took to municipal elections in unprecedented numbers. More than double the usual number of voters showed up at the polls, electing two black candidates to office on the city council. The council still has to replace the city’s interim manager and police chief, who have resigned.

The April 24 hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. A press conference will follow.