Michael Brown's Stepfather Apologizes for Comments, Says They Didn't Incite Riots

Clearing the air.

Image via CNN

The stepfather of Michael Brown has apologized for his emotionally charged comments during a rally following a grand jury's decision not to indict Brown's killer, Darren Wilson, last week. However, he says the blame for any resulting riots should not be placed on his shoulders.

Speaking with CNN's Don Lemon, Louis Head admitted to letting his emotions "get the best of him" when he yelled "Burn this motherf***** down!" during a demonstration in Ferguson, Mo. on Nov. 24. Still, Head insists that he is not solely responsible for any subsequent chaos: 

I was so angry and full of raw emotions, as so many others were, and granted, I screamed out words that I shouldn't have screamed in the heat of the moment. It was wrong, and I humbly apologize to all of those who read my pain and anger as a true desire for what I want for our community. But to place blame solely on me for the conditions of our community, and country, after the grand jury decision goes way too far and is as wrong as the decision itself. To declare a state of emergency and send a message of war, and not peace, before a grand jury decision was announced is also wrong. In the end, I've lived in this community for a long time. The last thing I truly wanted was to see it go up in flames. In spite of my frustration, it really hurt to see that.

Although Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson hinted that law enforcement would investigate Head's comments, CNN notes that a law enforcement source said Head is unlikely to face charges. One officially reportedly told CNN that they wished Jackson would "just shut up."

[via CNN]

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