Ferguson: prosecutor explains ruling

This was the response in Ferguson, Missouri, to the grand jury's long awaited decision.

A night of protests, looting and vandalism erupted after the finding that the white police officer who shot dead an unarmed black teenager won't face charges.

The grand jury decision was announced by St Louis County Prosecutor Robert McCullough, who went on to explain why.

(SOUNDBITE)(English) ST LOUIS COUNTRY PROSECUTOR ROBERT McCULLOUGH SAYING:

"Many witnesses to the shooting of Michael Brown made statements inconsistent with other statements they made and also conflicting with the physical evidence. Some were completely refuted by the physical evidence."

Michael Brown was stopped in August on suspicion of shoplifting and events unfolded from there.

McCullough says autopsy findings disproved claims Brown was shot in the back.

(SOUNDBITE)(English) ST LOUIS COUNTRY PROSECUTOR ROBERT McCULLOUGH SAYING:

"An altercation took place with Mr Wilson seated in