Most Arrested During Ferguson Protests in Boston Will Not Face Criminal Charges
Most of the dozens of people arrested during protests in Boston last night had their criminal charges converted to civil infractions, the Suffolk District Attorney’s office said in a statement Wednesday.
The changes mean that “about 40’’ men and women arrested will avoid trial and not have permanent charges on their records, the statement read.
About 1,400 people rallied in Dudley Square, marched through streets and blocked traffic in a peaceful protest against the lack of an indictment against Darren Wilson, the Ferguson, Missouri police officer who shot unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown.
Segun Idowu, 26, of Mattapan, declined to have his charge of disorderly conduct amended to a civil infraction and will be back in court this January.
Others were ineligible for civil conversion. Francis Donald Brooks III, 30, of Randolph had prior convictions for assault and battery and was arraigned Wednesday on a charge of disturbing the peace. His case was dismissed.
Antonie McKoy, 25, of Dorchester had an “extensive record,’’ and an active warrant, according to prosecutors. He allegedly left the courthouse prior to his arraignment on a charge of disorderly conduct, prompting the court to issue another warrant for his arrest.
Another man unnamed in the statement was ordered to pay an additional $100 due to previous convictions after his disorderly conduct charge was converted to a civil infraction.
Two juveniles were also taken into custody: a 17-year-old female who was charged with delinquency, to wit: disorderly conduct, had her case dismissed on the condition she perform 10 hours of community service.
Another juvenile will be summonsed for an arraignment at a later date.
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