The Perry Steele Show! Ferguson, Decision Time.

Ferguson grand jury makes decision; Governor urges calm

John Bacon and Yamiche Alcindor, USA TODAY 6:49 p.m. EST November 24, 2014

A grand jury in Missouri has reached a decision as to whether or not to charge officer Darren Brown in the shooting death of Michael Brown.

A St. Louis County grand jury reached a decision Monday on whether to indict Ferguson, Mo., police officer Darren Wilson, whose fatal shooting of an unarmed black teen in August touched off weeks of sometimes violent protests.

Plans were in place for an evening announcement of the long-awaited decision on whether Wilson will face charges in the death of teenager Michael Brown. Officials said the decision would be announced at 8 p.m. CT at the courthouse in the St. Louis County seat of Clayton, Mo.

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon called for calm and urged that "regardless of the decision, people on all sides show tolerance, mutual respect and restraint.''

He said several local churches would provide shelter, safe haven and medical care in the event of unrest.

St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley also called for calm in an evening news conference. "This is not the time to turn on each other; it is a time to turn to each other. We are one community,'' he said.

St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay acknowledged the case "has deeply divided us'' but said "turning violent or damaging property will not be tolerated.''

"The world will be watching us,'' Slay said.