Ferguson Officer Did Not Suffer Broken Eye Socket, Reports Claim as Darren Wilson Support Fund Exceeds $200k
Donations for Darren Wilson continue to pour in despite reports claiming the Ferguson police officer did not sustain any serious injuries during his interaction with unarmed teen Michael Brown.
On Friday, a gofundme.com campaign set up in support of Wilson exceeded $200,000 within just four days. Thousands of supporters from around the world have offered him well wishes and cash for "legal fees" as he remains in hiding on administrative leave pending an investigation into Brown's killing.
Wilson, who has been a police officer for six years, shot and killed 18-year-old Brown in Ferguson on August 9. What exactly transpired in the events leading up to Brown's death remains a point of contention.
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On Thursday, CNN producer Julian Cummings said a report claiming Wilson's eye socket was broken during his confrontation with Brown was false. This has not been publicly confirmed by police officials investigating the case.
"Reports that Ofc Darren Wilson had a bruised or fractured eye socket are false. #ferguson A source close to the investigation tells CNN," Cummings wrote on Twitter yesterday. "Wilson was taken to the hospital after the shooting. He had xrays which came back negative. He was treated for a swollen face. #ferguson."
Wilson, who is in hiding due to death threats, shot Brown up to six times; however, he has not been arrested. This has sparked nationwide protests from supporters of the Brown family. Protesters are demanding justice for the Brown family in the form of the arrest of Wilson.
Several witnesses have told the media that Wilson was the aggressor and that the shooting of Brown was unprovoked. However, police have painted a very different picture, claiming that Brown attacked the officer and was charging at the officer at the time of the shooting, although police have still refused to release all details as their investigation continues.
A grand jury in Clayton, Mo., recently began hearing evidence in the case and it will determine whether to charge Wilson. Experts believe that if in fact Wilson is charged, it will likely not be with first-degree murder.
"Depending on what the evidence shows, it could be second-degree murder — knowingly causing death," Marcia McCormick, a professor at Saint Louis University Law School, told NPR. "A prosecutor could decide that the definition of voluntary manslaughter is more appropriate — knowingly causing death under a sudden passion with adequate cause (an assault on the officer)."
