U.S. Jury Reaches Decision in Ferguson Police Shooting

A U.S. grand jury has reached a decision on whether or not to indict a white police officer for shooting dead an unarmed black teenager in a tense suburb, prosecutors said Monday.

There is no indication yet as to whether or not officer Darren Wilson will face charges for the death of Michael Brown on August 9, 2014 in the community of Ferguson, just outside St Louis. 

He could be indicted with first or second degree murder, or manslaughter -- or the grand jury could decide that he acted in self-defense and that there is no case to answer.

"Yes I can confirm that a decision has been reached," a public relations manager for the Brown family's lawyer told Agence France-Presse.

The announcement is expected to be made by the St. Louis prosecutor's office around 4.00pm to 5.00pm EST (2100 to 2200 GMT) on Monday, he added.

The prosecutor's office was not reachable for comment Monday.

Brown's shooting sparked weeks of sometimes violent protests and a nationwide debate about police tactics and race relations. 

The mainly African American community of 21,000 in Ferguson has been on edge for days, braced for further protests and fears of a possible resumption of violence should the officer not be indicted.