Here's How Long the Ferguson Prosecutor Talked Before Actually Breaking the News

Nine minutes and 27 seconds.

That’s how long prosecutor Robert McCulloch spoke Monday night before finally announcing what the country had tuned in to find out: the Ferguson grand jury investigating the August shooting of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown by white police officer Darren Wilson had decided not not to indict Wilson.

Viewers were left hanging to his every word—McCulloch uttered 1,315 of them, according to a transcript from C-SPAN—before he finally revealed the grand jury “determined that no probable cause exists to file any charges against Officer Wilson.”

The prosecutor’s lengthy statement began with a message of sympathy for Brown’s family and included a detailed account and defense of the investigation by local and federal authorities, the proceedings of the grand jury, as well as repeated criticism of social media and the 24-hour news cycle.

Ferguson Ignites With Violence After Grand Jury Decision

Law enforcement stands in full gear by tanks in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014

Barrett Emke for TIME

Protesters stand amid tear gas and smoke in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014.

Barrett Emke for TIME

Riot policemen clash with protesters in Ferguson Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014.

Alexey Furman—EPA

St. Louis County Police tactical team members open their reserve supply of tear gas to be fired as they take cover behind an armored truck on S. Florissant Avenue in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014.

David Carson—St Louis Post Dispatch/Polaris

Law enforcement responds to protestors in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014

Barrett Emke for TIME

A woman speaks into a megaphone during protests in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014

Barrett Emke for TIME

A man lies on the ground amid protests in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014

Barrett Emke for TIME

Police in riot gear tangle with a woman in front of emergency vehicles in Ferguson Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014.

Larry W. Smith—EPA

A demonstrator puts his hands in the air amid protests in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014

Barrett Emke for TIME

A law enforcement officer pushes back protestors after they destroyed a police car in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014.

Michael B. Thomas—AFP/Getty Images

Demonstrators attempt to push over a police car in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov, 24, 2014.

Xinhua/Sipa

Cars burn at a car dealership as demonstrators protest the Grand Jury decision not to indict police officer Darren Wilson over the shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo. on No.v 24, 2014.

Larry W. Smith—EPA

A car burns on the street after a grand jury returned no indictment in the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014.

Jim Young—Reuters

Protestors parade in the parking lot of a burning auto parts store in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014.

Tannen Maury—EPA

A demonstrator walks down the street after getting tear gas in her face and attempting to cleanse her eyes in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014.

Larry W. Smith—EPA

Patrick London surveys the damage at his fast food restaurant London's Wing House after it was looted during protests on Nov. 24, 2014.

Barrett Emke for TIME

Michael Brown's mother, Lesley McSpadden, covers her face while standing alongside other demonstrators in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014

Barrett Emke for TIME

Police stand near a burned out police car in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014.

Christian Gooden—St. Louis Post-Dispatch/Polaris

A man stands by a burned out car in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014

Barrett Emke for TIME

A Ferguson firefighter surveys rubble at a strip mall that was set on fire when rioting erupted following the grand jury announcement in the Michael Brown case on Nov. 25, 2014 in Ferguson, Mo.

Scott Olson—Getty Images

A police officer holds her gun during clashes with protesters in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014.

Jewel Samad—AFP/Getty Images

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Write to Rishi Iyengar at rishi.iyengar@timeasia.com.