Barkley: Ferguson looters are ‘scumbags’

Charles Barkley said Tuesday that he agreed with the decision of a grand jury not to indict the Ferguson, Missouri, police officer who shot and killed 18-year-old Michael Brown.

“If it wasn’t for the cops we would be living in the wild, wild West in our neighborhoods,” Barkley told 97.5 the Fanatic in Philadelphia. “We can’t pick out certain incidentals that don’t go our way and act like the cops are all bad. … Do you know how bad some of these neighborhoods would be if it wasn’t for the cops?”

Barkley said he was disturbed by the actions of some protestors who turned vandals and looters after the announcement.

“Those aren’t black people, those are scumbags,” said Barkley, who is known for his strong opinions as an NBA analyst on TNT. “There is no excuse for people to be out there burning down people’s businesses, burning down police cars.”

Barkley also said he believed the truth came to light in the grand jury testimony.

“Three or four witnesses, who were black, said exactly what the cop (Darren Wilson) said,” Barkley added.