The family of a Missouri teenager shot dead by police has hired the services of national civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump.
Eighteen-year-old Michael Brown was killed by a Ferguson police officer over the weekend. St. Louis County’s Police Chief Jon Belmar told reporters in a press conference Sunday morning the fatal shooting occurred after an “altercation” Brown had with police.
Crump represented the family of Trayvon Martin, who was killed in 2012 in Sanford, Florida. Martin’s case drew national attention. The shooter, George Zimmerman, was acquitted on charges of second-degree murder and manslaughter.
Crump’s firm, Parks & Crump, LLC, announced the news in a press release overnight.
Media Advisory: Family of Michael Brown Retains National Civil Rights Attorney, Benjamin Crump, in MO Shooting Death. pic.twitter.com/eRkoDE7XIZ
— Parks Law, LLC (@ParksLawLLC) August 11, 2014
A Ferguson Police press conference scheduled for Monday morning was canceled. Crump assisted the Martin family with scores of national media and other interests, but was not directly involved in the State’s case against Zimmerman.
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