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, 2014Barrett Emke for TIMEProtesters stand amid tear gas and smoke in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014. Barrett Emke for TIMERiot policemen clash with protesters in Ferguson Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014. Alexey Furman—EPASt. 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/PolarisLaw enforcement responds to protestors in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014Barrett Emke for TIMEA woman speaks into a megaphone during protests in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014Barrett Emke for TIMEA man lies on the ground amid protests in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014Barrett Emke for TIMEPolice in riot gear tangle with a woman in front of emergency vehicles in Ferguson Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014. Larry W. Smith—EPAA demonstrator puts his hands in the air amid protests in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014Barrett Emke for TIMEA law enforcement officer pushes back protestors after they destroyed a police car in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014. Michael B. Thomas—AFP/Getty ImagesDemonstrators attempt to push over a police car in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov, 24, 2014. Xinhua/SipaCars 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—EPAA 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—ReutersProtestors parade in the parking lot of a burning auto parts store in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014. Tannen Maury—EPAA 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—EPAPatrick 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 TIMEMichael Brown's mother, Lesley McSpadden, covers her face while standing alongside other demonstrators in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014Barrett Emke for TIMEPolice stand near a burned out police car in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014. Christian Gooden—St. Louis Post-Dispatch/PolarisA man stands by a burned out car in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014Barrett Emke for TIMEA 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 ImagesA police officer holds her gun during clashes with protesters in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24, 2014. Jewel Samad—AFP/Getty Images
