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Michael Brown's stepfather is seen in a video calling for the crowd to "burn this b**** down" after learning a grand jury didn't indicted Darren Wilson. The Brown family attorney said no one should judge Brown's parents for their emotional response. VPC
Louis Head addresses a crown in Ferguson, Mo., after the grand jury decision is announced Nov. 24.(Photo: Larry W. Smith, European Pressphoto Agency)
Police are investigating Michael Brown's stepfather for his actions in the hours after a grand jury determined that the officer who fatally shot Brown would not be charged, Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson said Tuesday.
CNN reports that police are trying to determine whether Brown's stepfather, Louis Head, was attempting to incite a riot on Nov. 24 when he screamed "Burn this ---- down" to a crowd of protesters after St. Louis County prosecutor Robert McCulloch announced the grand jury's decision.
Jackson also told Fox News that charges against Head are possible.
"We are pursuing (an investigation into) those comments, and there is a lot of discussion going on about that right now," Jackson told Sean Hannity. "But I really can't get into that right now."
Head's rant appeared on a video shot by The New York Times. CNN, citing Jackson, said Ferguson police have interviewed people who were with Head when he addressed the crowd, but had not yet spoken with Head.
Benjamin Crump, a lawyer representing Brown's family, has called Head's tirade inappropriate. But Crump also asked that Head not be condemned, citing the tremendous stress the family was under that night.
Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder has repeatedly called for Head's arrest. The idea has drawn plenty of buzz on social media.
Ashley Angell, of Georgia, tweeted: "#louishead should be CHARGED immediately for the role he played in Ferguson being terrorized & property destroyed! @stlcountypd"
Canadian Scott Wiley had this to add: "Would LOVE to see #LouisHead charged for inciting #Ferguson riots! Open and shut case from my vantage point."
But New Haven, Conn., divinity student Kevin Dean wasn't sold on the idea, tweeting: "How about investigating themselves? RT @freep: Police probe Michael Brown's stepdad for inciting riot Police probe Michael Brown's stepdad for inciting riot #Ferguson"
Also Tuesday, Gov. Jay Nixon cited "improving conditions" in scaling back National Guard operations. Nixon said the Guard was systematically reducing its presence in St. Louis County, but continues to support local law enforcement agencies in some areas, including Ferguson. About 1,268 Guardsmen remained in the area Tuesday.
"The men and women of the Missouri National Guard have served the people of the region admirably, and I greatly appreciate their professionalism, bravery and dedication," Nixon said in a statement.
Brown, 18, was fatally shot Aug. 9 following a brief, controversial confrontation with officer Darren Wilson, 28. Brown, who was black, was unarmed. Wilson is white. The shooting touched off months of protests, some of them violent. The grand jury's decision further fueled passions, and buildings were burned and looted in the hours after the announcement.
Jackson has said police are trying to identify the looters, who also could face charges.
Wilson resigned from the force Saturday, citing threats made to the Ferguson Police Department. Gov. Jay Nixon has appointed an independent commission charged with making recommendations on how to deal with issues raised by the shooting and the violence that ensued.
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