VOA慢速英语2014 New Violence Hits Ferguson, Missouri

 

New Violence Hits Ferguson, Missouri

An American grand jury ruling has resulted in new violence in the city of Ferguson, Missouri. The jurors decided¹ not to charge a white police officer who shot and killed an unarmed African American teenager last August. The decision was announced late Monday -- more than three months after the shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown. His death led to weeks of angry demonstrations³ and riots in Ferguson.

The grand jury had 12 members -- all private citizens. Their job was to decide whether criminal charges should be brought against police officer Darren Wilson. The grand jury decided there was not probable cause to charge him in the death of Michael Brown. 

Bob McCulloch is a lawyer for the Saint Louis County government.

“They determined⁴ that no probable cause exists to file any charge against officer Wilson and returned a no true bill on each of the five indictments⁵.”

Mr. McCulloch said the police officer claimed he was hit by Michael Brown, and that they struggled. He said witnesses told the grand jury that the teenager took aggressive action against the officer.

“He (Michael Brown) came at him at a full charge, and that as Officer Wilson fired shots at him, Mr. Brown stopped and Officer Wilson stopped shooting. And as Mr. Brown started charging at him again, those were his words, his testimony⁶, Mr. Wilson started shooting again.”

After the grand jury decision was announced, President Barack Obama spoke⁷ at the White House. He called for calm and appealed to police to show care and restraint in controlling peaceful protest.     

“I join Michael’s parents in asking that anyone who protests this decision do so peacefully.”

But the reaction was anything but peaceful back in Missouri. A crowd gathered near the headquarters of the Ferguson Police Department. Police officers used smoke and tear gas to break up the demonstration². Some protesters reacted by setting fire to police cars and throwing objects at officers.

Saint Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar said the protesters set fire to more than 10 buildings, and that most were destroyed.

“Those are businesses that may never come back. So, frankly⁸, I’m heartbroken about that. Now the good news is, we have not fired a shot. As far as I know, we don’t have any serious injuries to police officers. They (got) banged up a little bit with rocks. One lieutenant⁹ from the patrol got hit in the head with a glass bottle. But we don’t have any serious injuries, and as far as I know, we haven’t caused any serious injuries tonight.”

The police chief said officers arrested nearly 30 people during the unrest.                            

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder¹⁰ said the federal government continues to investigate the shooting. He said federal investigations¹¹ are exploring whether the Ferguson Police Department is involved in unconstitutional activities.

Mr. Holder called the death of Michael Brown a “tragedy.” In his words, “far more must be done to create enduring trust” between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

Words in this Story

jury – n. a group of people chosen to decide what is true in a trial

charge – v. to accuse someone of something, usually a crime; n., a statement in which someone is accused of something

riots – n. violent action by a large group of people

witnesses – n. people who saw and can tell about an action or event, sometimes in a court of law

1 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

2 demonstration   

n.表明，示范，论证，示威

参考例句：

• His new book is a demonstration of his patriotism.他写的新书是他的爱国精神的证明。
• He gave a demonstration of the new technique then and there.他当场表演了这种新的操作方法。

3 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。

4 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

5 indictments   

n.（制度、社会等的）衰败迹象( indictment的名词复数 )；刑事起诉书；公诉书；控告

参考例句：

• A New York jury brought criminal indictments against the founder of the organization. 纽约的一个陪审团对这个组织的创始人提起了多项刑事诉讼。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• These two indictments are self-evident and require no elaboration. 这两条意义自明，无须多说。 来自互联网

6 testimony   

n.证词；见证，证明

参考例句：

• The testimony given by him is dubious.他所作的证据是可疑的。
• He was called in to bear testimony to what the police officer said.他被传入为警官所说的话作证。

7 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

8 frankly   

adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说

参考例句：

• To speak frankly, I don't like the idea at all.老实说，我一点也不赞成这个主意。
• Frankly speaking, I'm not opposed to reform.坦率地说，我不反对改革。

9 lieutenant   

n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员

参考例句：

• He was promoted to be a lieutenant in the army.他被提升为陆军中尉。
• He prevailed on the lieutenant to send in a short note.他说动那个副官，递上了一张简短的便条进去。

10 holder   

n.持有者，占有者；(台，架等)支持物

参考例句：

• The holder of the office of chairman is reponsible for arranging meetings.担任主席职位的人负责安排会议。
• That runner is the holder of the world record for the hundred-yard dash.那位运动员是一百码赛跑世界纪录的保持者。

11 investigations   

（正式的）调查( investigation的名词复数 )； 侦查； 科学研究； 学术研究

参考例句：

• His investigations were intensive and thorough but revealed nothing. 他进行了深入彻底的调查，但没有发现什么。
• He often sent them out to make investigations. 他常常派他们出去作调查。