Reports say evidence in Ferguson shooting supports police version
Victim's blood on gun, uniform and in car shows struggle for weapon as officer claimed: officials
Forensic evidence shows Michael Brown's blood on the gun, uniform and inside the car of Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson, law officers say, information they believe potentially corroborates Wilson's story that the youth had attempted to take his gun.
The evidence would make it harder for the Justice Department to prosecute Wilson on federal charges that he violated Brown's civil rights, the officials said.
Such evidence would also make it difficult for a county grand jury to indict Wilson on state charges, such as murder or manslaughter, sources said.
The St Louis County police, the FBI and a county grand jury are investigating the shooting. The Justice Department is investigating Ferguson and St Louis County policing practices and whether they have violated the rights of residents.
The three-minute encounter on a Saturday afternoon has rocked the area, which remains on edge as it waits for the grand jury to decide whether Wilson should face charges in Brown's death.
The New York Times first reported the evidence on Friday, citing "officials briefed on the civil rights investigation".