I'm a little late to this love fest between the looney leftists and the rabid righty's, but here's my two cents. Nancy Grace is paid to stir people up (the few who watch her network). However she does have one point here that I agree with - I think the prosecutor used the grand jury process to get Wilson off instead of taking the responsibility for dropping the charges himself.
Do I think there is a problem with police officers? Yes, police have moved from "protect and serve" to "them versus us" (where "them" is anyone not wearing a police uniform). The militarization of police is a huge problem. No knock warrants, SWAT teams used for what should be benign encounters, and shooting kids with toy guns are all connected to the increasing militarization of police.
However, between 2003 and 2012, the vast majority (90%) of black men who are murdered are murdered by other black men. Only 2% of black men who were killed suffered death via police. The much, much, much bigger problem is the "thug life" which Michael Brown was OBVIOUSLY a part of.
Did Wilson need to shoot him, or shoot him 6-7 times? I dunno, you dunno, and we never will. It's a damn shame that this 18 year old kid won't have the chance to grow up and STOP his thug life.
I can answer that...
If you draw your weapon, you have cause to fire it. Cops are not supposed to brandish a weapon if they are not ready to use it.
If you require 6 shots to put down someone intent on doing you bodily harm, you're not competent as a police officer. If you're being charged from 30 feet away and you haven't seen a weapon, you have choices; shoot the leg or something.
Was taking the life justified? Yes. That is what happens when you hit a cop.
Was taking the life necessary? From the testimony given by the officer, no.