Charging Michael Brown's stepdad? Opinionline

Noah Rothman, Hot Air : "In the wake of the Ferguson grand jury's (decision) incensed rioters took to the streets of that Missouri city. ... Michael Brown's stepfather, Louis Head, (expressed) his grief in a somewhat less constructive way. 'Burn this s--- down!' Head exclaimed as the crowd of supporters grew more agitated. 'Burn this b---- down!' ... Authorities announced on Tuesday that Head will face a formal investigation for those comments and the role they may have played in sparking riotous violence."

Laura Ingraham,on her radio show: "This is the lovely stepfather of Michael Brown. Is this where Michael Brown was getting his inspiration? ... Why hasn't (arresting and charging Head) already happened? There should be mass arrests. ... Nothing quite says civil rights outrage as (looters stealing) a fifth of Jack Daniels. That really speaks to the great legacy of Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King. This is an outrage."

Dylan Stableford, Yahoo News : "Facing possible criminal charges for his angry reaction to the grand jury's decision ... Head apologized Wednesday. 'Something came over me. ... I've lived in this community for a long time. The last thing I truly wanted was to see it go up in flames. In spite of my frustration, it really hurt me to see that. It's time to rebuild. If we are to honor Michael Brown's memory, we need to work together to make rebuilding happen. I plan to remain here and do my part in earnest truth.'"

Paul G. Cassell, The Washington Post : "The people who should be prosecuted ... are the looters. We might reasonably expect a stepfather to react angrily when the criminal justice system reaches a disappointing result. What we don't reasonably expect — and should combat with our criminal law — is for persons to deliberately use that reaction as a cloak for theft, arson and violence. Business owners in Ferguson did not have windows shattered and property stolen by Head — these things were done by opportunistic criminals."

Tom Fuentes, The Situation Room : "They're going to have a hard time proving that somebody that heard (Head) in the midst of all that noise actually went over and did an arson or committed an act of starting a fire. ... Many of the people (who) were there were bent on what they did from the beginning with or without him. ... The cause and effect of his words will be hard to prove."

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