Mo. lawmaker wants investigation of prosecutor in Brown case

ST. LOUIS (AP) — A state lawmaker from St. Louis has asked a legislative committee to investigate St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch, saying Friday that she was concerned he “manipulated” the grand jury in the Michael Brown case.

A joint House and Senate committee is investigating why Gov. Jay Nixon did not use National Guard troops to prevent burning and looting in Ferguson on Nov. 24, the night McCulloch announced that the grand jury would not indict Ferguson officer Darren Wilson in the August shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown.

Rep. Karla May, a St. Louis Democrat, sent a letter Thursday to committee chairman Sen. Kurt Schaefer, asking that the investigation expand to look at whether McCulloch committed prosecutorial misconduct.

“Many St. Louis-area residents believe — and there is at least some evidence to suggest — that Mr. McCulloch manipulated the grand jury process from the beginning to ensure that Officer Wilson would not be indicted,” May wrote.

She said in an interview that McCulloch should have removed himself from the case at the outset.

“I don’t believe he followed proper procedures when he presented evidence to the grand jury,” May said. “To me, he was working for the defendant in this case and not the victim.”

Messages left Friday with Schaefer were not immediately returned.