Yvette Nicole Brown

It all made Leslie feel like this case mattered to the country and to the people in charge. That night, Leslie and her family gathered in a hotel room holding hands in prayer. Then the news came. The St. Louis County prosecutor, Bob McCullough, announced that the grand jury decided not to indict after all.

It all made Leslie feel like this case mattered to the country and to the people in charge. That night, Leslie and her family gathered in a hotel room holding hands in prayer. Then the news came. The St. Louis County prosecutor, Bob McCullough, announced that the grand jury decided not to indict after all.

Protests flared that night, and Leslie and her husband Louis joined people in the streets. In a cell phone video, you can see them, surrounded by the crowd. In response to the lack of indictment, Leslie sobbed and exclaimed, they don't care. Next to her, Louis was angry at the injustice, and he expressed it as well. The media chose to fixate on Leslie and Lewis's reactions.

Protests flared that night, and Leslie and her husband Louis joined people in the streets. In a cell phone video, you can see them, surrounded by the crowd. In response to the lack of indictment, Leslie sobbed and exclaimed, they don't care. Next to her, Louis was angry at the injustice, and he expressed it as well. The media chose to fixate on Leslie and Lewis's reactions.

When crowds that night burned buildings, looted businesses, and clashed with police, they were unfairly blamed and held responsible for the most destructive actions of the protesters.

When crowds that night burned buildings, looted businesses, and clashed with police, they were unfairly blamed and held responsible for the most destructive actions of the protesters.

What Lewis recognized was something deeper than one night. It was long, simmering pain extending far beyond Ferguson's borders, across the country.

What Lewis recognized was something deeper than one night. It was long, simmering pain extending far beyond Ferguson's borders, across the country.

All of the family members in that chain were hit hard with heartbreak. And though Leslie was awash in her own grief, she felt the weight of everyone else's too.

All of the family members in that chain were hit hard with heartbreak. And though Leslie was awash in her own grief, she felt the weight of everyone else's too.

It was especially difficult for Mike's younger siblings, Deja, Andre, and Jasmine. In those days, Leslie advised her kids to stay close to the house because she feared for their safety. Family members like Kiki saw how tough this was for them.

It was especially difficult for Mike's younger siblings, Deja, Andre, and Jasmine. In those days, Leslie advised her kids to stay close to the house because she feared for their safety. Family members like Kiki saw how tough this was for them.

Mike's little brother Andre was also processing everything in his own way. Even though he was only nine years old, he has a clear memory of his first day back at school that fall.

Mike's little brother Andre was also processing everything in his own way. Even though he was only nine years old, he has a clear memory of his first day back at school that fall.

The kindness from his teacher made a big impact on Andre, but those big feelings he was having, he said he had to tamp those down to get through each day, becoming quieter and more reserved.

The kindness from his teacher made a big impact on Andre, but those big feelings he was having, he said he had to tamp those down to get through each day, becoming quieter and more reserved.

The effects of Mike Mike's death spread throughout the family, hitting Leslie's cousin Eric especially hard. He and his kids had been very close with Mike.

The effects of Mike Mike's death spread throughout the family, hitting Leslie's cousin Eric especially hard. He and his kids had been very close with Mike.

After Mike's murder, Eric took time off of work to support Leslie. He remembers the disbelief he felt at that time.

After Mike's murder, Eric took time off of work to support Leslie. He remembers the disbelief he felt at that time.