FERGUSON, Mo. (CBS St. Louis) – Since the Aug. 9 police shooting death of Michael Brown, protests have taken over the small city of Ferguson, causing tensions to run high in the community. Nearly four months after his death, protests still continue to happen with many activists calling for Ferguson officer Darren Wilson to face charges.

A decision is expected by a grand jury sometime in November. Many expect that if Wilson is not indicted, the worst situation that could unfold in Ferguson could be similar to the 1992 Los Angeles riots that happened after Los Angeles police officers were acquitted in a trial regarding a videotaped police beating of Rodney King.

“The LA riots with Rodney King is what should be expected to happen in Ferguson,” said Jeannine Bell, a professor of law at Indiana University Maurer School of Law. “Brown’s death was very detrimental to the community. The individuals who are protesting now have suggested in speaking to the press given the ongoing protests in Ferguson that that could happen.”

Bell, who is a criminal procedure expert and has written about police crimes and hate crimes, explained that the situation in Ferguson between the community and law enforcement suggests a number of things about problematic inequalities.

“This situation has brought to light the differences between police and residents which suggest that there were preexisting inequalities in Ferguson,” Bell said. “This situation is a marker for what is happening in other local cities across the country.

http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2014/11/03/expert-la-riots-with-rodney-king-is-what-should-be-expected-to-happen-in-ferguson/