Shannon Stapleton/Reuters
The Justice Department has condemned leaks in the investigation into the Aug. 9 killing of Michael Brown by Police Officer Darren Wilson as an attempt to influence public opinion. The Los Angeles Times reports that Justice officials called the leaks “irresponsible and highly troubling” and said, “There seems to be an inappropriate effort to influence public opinion about this case.” Leaks about the slaying of the unarmed black teenager by the white officer in Ferguson, Missouri, provided by unnamed sources, have seeemed to support Wilson’s side of the story. The leaked details have said Brown struggled with Wilson in his patrol car and that Wilson’s gun went off in the car before a brief foot chase began. Wilson eventually shot Brown several times, sparking rage and protests in the Missouri town. The leaks come as a grand jury decision looms on whether to indict Wilson.