Skip to main content
The homepageVoxVox logo
The homepageVoxVox logo

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now

Why it’s so rare for police to be prosecuted for killing civilians, explained in 2 minutes

by Joe Posner, Amanda Taub, and Dara Lind
Part Of
Ferguson grand jury decision: the latest updates
see all updates

On May 1st, State's Attorney for Baltimore City Marilyn Mosby announced that six Baltimore police officers would face criminal charges in the death of Freddie Graywhile in police custody on April 19th. The charges against the officers include second-degree murder, manslaughter, misconduct in office, and false imprisonment.

The announcement is striking partly because it's incredibly rare for police to be prosecuted for civilian deaths. In 2014, New York police officer Daniel Pantaleo was not charged in the death of resident Eric Garner, even though there was cellphone footage of Pantaleo putting Garner in a chokehold; in Ferguson, meanwhile, Darren Wilson was not charged in the death of Michael Brown. In this 2014 video, Vox's Amanda Taub explains why it's so rare for prosecutors to go after police.

See More:

More in: Ferguson grand jury decision: the latest updates

A Ferguson witness who testified in favor of Darren Wilson may not have seen the shootingA Ferguson witness who testified in favor of Darren Wilson may not have seen the shooting
The untold story of police officers in the age of FergusonThe untold story of police officers in the age of Ferguson
Black congressional staffers are staging a walkout to protest police abuseBlack congressional staffers are staging a walkout to protest police abuse

Most Popular

  1. Virginia Democrats’ irresponsible new plan to save their gerrymander
  2. Take a mental break with the newest Vox crossword
  3. We’re asking the wrong question about the hantavirus outbreak
  4. Trump’s China policy is nearly the exact opposite of what everyone expected
  5. Are far-right politics just the new normal?

More in Video

Video
What would J.R.R. Tolkien think of Palantir?What would J.R.R. Tolkien think of Palantir?
Play
Video

How The Lord of the Rings lore helps explain the mysterious tech company.

By Benjamin Stephen
America, Actually
The progressive plan to reclaim the working classThe progressive plan to reclaim the working class
Podcast
America, Actually

Progressive caucus chair Rep. Greg Casar on his movement’s new playbook.

By Astead Herndon
Video
The Department of Holy WarThe Department of Holy War
Play
Video

What Pete Hegseth’s fascination with the Crusades can tell us about the war in Iran.

By Nate Krieger
Video
Live Nation lost. Will anything change for ticket prices?Live Nation lost. Will anything change for ticket prices?
Play
Video

A jury ruled Live Nation and Ticketmaster a monopoly, but what that means for ticket prices is not so simple.

By Frank Posillico
Eating the Ocean
Why are states unleashing millions of these fish?Why are states unleashing millions of these fish?
Play
Eating the Ocean

America’s fishing paradox.

By Nate Krieger
Video
Why Americans can’t escape credit card debtWhy Americans can’t escape credit card debt
Play
Video

Credit card APRs are now as high as 20 percent.

By Frank Posillico