Poll: Americans Evenly Divided on Ferguson Grand Jury Decision
Poll: Americans Evenly Divided on Ferguson Grand Jury Decision
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A protester holds up a sign while demonstrating against the grand jury decision in the case against Darren Wilson in Ferguson, outside of Macy's in New York City on Nov. 28, 2014.Brendan McDermid—Reuters
Americans are evenly split on a recent grand jury decision not to indict the Ferguson, Mo. police officer who shot and killed unarmed black teenager Michael Brown, but answers varied along racial and partisan lines, according to a new poll.
The poll, conducted by the Washington Post, shows that 48% of American adults approved of a Missouri grand jury’s decision not to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson while 45% said they disapproved of it.
These figures varied dramatically between racial groups and party affiliation. Fewer than 10% of African Americans said they approved of the decision, while nearly 60% of white Americans said the same. More than three-quarters of Republicans agreed that Wilson shouldn’t have been charged, while 27% of Democrats agreed.
Still, the poll suggests that there is less of a divide on police handling of the protests that erupted after the shooting and the subsequent grand jury decision: just under 40% of all Americans approved of law enforcement’s handling of the situation.
25 Key Evidence Photos From the Ferguson Grand Jury
Officer Darren Wilson's vehicle is shown at the scene of the confrontation in this undated evidence photograph made available by the St. Louis County prosecutors office St. Louis CountyA bracelet was found near where Officer Darren Wilson fatally shot unarmed teen Michael Brown on Aug. 9, 2014 St. Louis CountyThe cap 18-year-old Brown wore the day he was shot by Officer WilsonSt. Louis CountyThis photograph shows a casing from a bullet fired from Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson's gun. St. Louis CountyA blood-stained sheet covers the body of 18-year-old Michael Brown. St. Louis CountyBrown's blood is spattered on the ground near where his body lay after being shot by Officer WilsonSt. Louis CountyAnother bullet casing from Officer Wilson's gun, which was fired a total of 12 times that day in AugustSt. Louis CountyThis photo shows shattered glass from Officer Wilson's car window, which was shot out during a struggle between Wilson and Brown, according to grand jury testimonySt. Louis CountyThe interior of Officer Wilson's police vehicle. Wilson says he used the radio to call for backup after the shooting St. Louis CountyAnother bracelet discovered near Officer Wilson's vehicle following the shooting St. Louis CountyA close up of the exterior of Wilson's vehicle following the incident St. Louis CountyEvidence left following the incident on the exterior of Officer Wilson's police carSt. Louis CountyHandprints mark the rear window of Wilson's vehicle. St. Louis CountyA traffic cone and police tape mark the scene near where Brown was shot on Canfield Drive in Ferguson, Mo. in AugustSt. Louis CountyOfficers fetch a bullet from a hole left in the side of a building near the sceneSt. Louis CountyA bullet fired by Wilson's gunSt. Louis CountyThe uniform Officer Wilson wore the day he shot and killed Michael BrownSt. Louis CountyOfficer Darren WilsonSt. Louis CountyWilson says he feared for his life during an altercation with Brown, leading him to use deadly force.St. Louis CountyEvidence left on the breast pocket of Wilson's uniform following the shooting of Michael Brown St. Louis CountyThis image shows Wilson soon after the shooting. At the time, the officer underwent a medical examinationSt. Louis CountyDuring the medical examination, bruising was discovered on Wilson's cheek where he says Brown punched him in the faceSt. Louis CountyMedical examination also found cuts on the back of Officer Wilson's headSt. Louis CountyThe gun Officer Darren Wilson used when he shot and killed Michael BrownSt. Louis CountyA bullet found in Officer Wilson's weapon after the shooting of Michael BrownSt. Louis County
