Star Witness In Michael Brown Case Just Received A Crushing Blow To His Credibility

Following the release of two autopsies this week, it is clear that the black man shot by Ferguson, Mo. police officer Darren Wilson was hit multiple times in the front of his body. This detail refutes the initial claims by Mike Brown’s friend, Dorian Johnson, who said it appeared that the 18-year-old was shot in the back prior to spinning around and surrendering.

Johnson, 22, was walking with Brown when Wilson approached the pair. It was later revealed that both men were suspected of a convenience store robbery just minutes before the shooting.

KMIZ reporters did some digging into the witness’ background, revealing a 2011 warrant issued against him. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch elaborated on the charge he was arrested for stealing a backpack and other belongings from an apartment complex in Jefferson City.

When questioned about the crime, he attempted to convince police he was only 16 and used a false name to identify himself. Ultimately, officers retrieved an identification card and determined that he was lying.

So Dorian Johnson has comitted theft, and lied in the police report having to do with the theft… Just a tad untrustworthy? #MikeBrown

— Karl Montoya (@Easy_MacKIDS) August 21, 2014

On top of the theft warrant, Johnson was charged and later pleaded guilty to filing a false police report. After deciding not to show up to face the theft charge, however, a failure to appear citation was also issued against him by Jefferson City authorities.

But to be real, Dorian Johnson's initial story sounded like a huge lie.

— أصيل يوسفي (@AuseelYousefi) August 21, 2014

While the contradictory autopsy results combined with his documented history of lying to police has convinced many Americans that Johnson’s account of the Brown shooting should not be trusted, those in Ferguson feeding the racial tensions that have grown for more than a week are undeterred.

Filing a false police report, for instance, “doesn’t concern” Adolphus Pruitt, who serves as the president of St. Louis’ National Association for the Advancement of Colored People chapter.

Photo Credit: Twitter/Bahar

BCN editor’s note: This article first appeared at Western Journalism.