Officer Darren Wilson doesn't expect to be charged in Michael Brown shooting, but may resign

by Staff, |

FERGUSON, Mo. (Christian Examiner) -- Officer Darren Wilson does not expect to be charged with any crime and has said that he feels justified in fatally shooting unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown on Aug. 9. Nevertheless, the veteran officer is reportedly in the final stages of talks to resign.

Wilson has been out of the public eye since the shooting and been on paid administrative leave. That has not stopped the protestors, though, and it hasn't stopped a 12-person St. Louis County grand jury from deciding whether or not he will be indicted. If Officer Wilson is indicted, he would automatically be fired from the Ferguson police department.

"It's fair to say that neither he nor his defense team expect an indictment," Jeff Roorda, a business manager for the St. Louis Police Officers' Association, told the Associated Press. "Wilson seems confident that justice will be served, but neither he nor his attorneys shared any expectations with me."

People involved in the talks told CNN that Wilson most likely will resign, and is in the final stages of talks with the police department. He said it would help protect his fellow officers and ease tension between police and protestors. Wilson's attorneys and police officials have been attempting to come to a consensus as to when he should leave.

The city of Ferguson has made it clear that they don't plan to offer Wilson severance pay or any compensation if he resigns. Although Wilson has run up significant legal, medical and relocation bills since the shooting death of Brown, police charities have raised over $500,000 for him, according to Roorda.

The grand jury's decision is expected to come Friday or over the weekend, and police have been anticipating protests if Wilson is not indicted.