A grand jury in the US state of Missouri has decided not to charge a police officer with a criminal offence over the death of an unarmed black teenager last summer.

The jury judged there was no probable cause to indict Darren Wilson.

Prosecutor Bob McCulloch made the announcement:

“After their exhaustive review of the evidence the grand jury deliberated over two days making their final decision. They determined that no probable cause exists to file any charges against Officer Wilson and returned a no true bill on each of the five indictments.”

Tensions in the St Louis suburb of Ferguson had risen ahead of the judgement with protesters gathering to hear the long awaited jury’s decision.

Eighteen- year-old Michael Brown was killed by Officer Wilson last August.
Witnesses say Brown had his arms raised in apparent surrender to the officer when he was shot.

A police version of Browns death described a struggle between the teenager and the officer before the shooting.

The killing sparked violent protests prompting the state governor to call in the National Guard to restore law and order.

The incident has become a flash point for US race relations.