Ferguson Grand Jury Reaches Decision

A Missouri grand jury has reached a decision on whether to indict a white police officer for shooting dead an unarmed black teenager.

Officer Darren Wilson is expecting to hear his fate at 8pm local time (2am UK time).

The family of victim Michael Brown have been informed by prosecutors that a decision has been made.

The 12-member grand jury heard evidence for more than three months in the wake of the 9 August shooting.

Ferguson, a suburb of St Louis in Missouri, witnessed several weeks of protests after the incident.

The community has been on edge in recent days as the grand jury's decision appeared imminent.

Among the possible charges the jury can recommend is the most serious charge of first-degree murder, which is punishable by either life in prison or the death penalty.

At the lower end is second-degree involuntary manslaughter, which carries a maximum of four years in prison.

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, who last week declared a state of emergency and called in National Guard troops, today asked "all sides to show tolerance, mutual respect and restraint" regardless of the outcome.

He added that "the necessary resources are at hand to protect lives, protect property and protect free speech".

Governor Nixon said several churches would open their doors to provide a safe haven throughout the night.

Schools in the area were also ordered to close on Monday and Tuesday.

Several residents have told Sky News they are arming themselves as a protective measure in case trouble resurfaces.

County Executive Charlie Dooley said: "I don't want people to harm someone out of fear.

"This is not a time to turn on each other - it's a time to turn to each other. We are one community."

President Barack Obama has joined those urging for calm once the decision is made public.

The victim's father, Michael Brown Sr, urged a group of protesters outside the Ferguson Police Department on Monday to remain calm.

"He's calling for peace and he wants people to not be violent, not looting stores, not throwing things at police officers," said one protester, Byron Conley, who briefly spoke with Mr Brown.

"I hope we can do this in a peaceful way," Mr Conley added.

"I just don't want no one to look at our little town thinking we're a bunch of wild animals. We're really good people here."

Several business owners in Ferguson began boarding up their shops last week amid fears there could be a repeat of the sometimes violent protests that erupted in the wake of Mr Brown's death.

Varying accounts of the shooting have emerged from witnesses. Some described a struggle between the pair, while others said the teenager had put up his hands.

CCTV footage emerged after the shooting that appeared to show the 18-year-old conducting a strong-arm robbery at a convenience store minutes before his encounter with Officer Wilson.