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Thursday, June 2, 2016

No Civil Rights Charges In Jamar Clark Case

Two white Minneapolis police officers will not face civil rights charges in the fatal shooting of an unarmed black man, Minnesota's US attorney has said.
Andrew Luger said  there was "insufficient evidence" to support charges against Officers Mark Ringgenberg and Dustin Schwarze.
The closely watched case stems from the death of 24-year-old Jamar Clark, who died a day after he was shot once in the head on 15 November.
Photos used as evidence
The shooting set off weeks of protests in Minneapolis, including an 18-day tent encampment outside the police department's 4th Precinct.
In March, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman declined to file criminal charges against the two officers.
A key issue in the case centred on conflicting accounts from the officers and witnesses as to whether Mr Clark was handcuffed when he was shot.
The shooting occurred after paramedics called police to report that Mr Clark was interfering with efforts to treat an assault victim.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) determined that Mr Clark refused orders to take his hands out of his pockets, prompting the officers to attempt to handcuff him.
Investigators said a struggle ensued and Ofc Ringgenberg felt Mr Clark's hand on his weapon after the two fell on to the ground.
Ofc Schwarze then shot Mr Clark.
The violent encounter lasted barely more than a minute, investigators said.
In his decision not to pursue criminal charges, Mr Freeman cited inconsistent witness statements and forensic evidence that showed no bruising consistent with handcuffs on Mr Clark's wrists.
The BCA investigation also found Mr Clark's DNA on Ofc Ringgenberg's gun.

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