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Randolph McLaughlin, a click here law professor read more at Pace Law School and civil rights attorney, agreed.

"The grand jury is a tool of the prosecutor. At a minimum, it was my site negligent, it was reckless, it was some level of homicide. Surely they could have indicted this officer on any number of charges and let the public hear, let a trial happen, expose to the light of day what went on here. This man is a public servant, and he committed these acts as a public servant, wearing the uniform of a public servant, and he should be called to account for it."

"The result here, as in Ferguson, may have as much to do with the grand jurors as with the preferences of the prosecutors. Grand jurors in Staten Island may not be all that different in their world view from grand jurors in suburban St. Louis."

Cohen was skeptical that the federal government would pursue charges against Pantaleo.

"You see these things coming one after another after another after another, you hear black parents being afraid to let their children go out in the street in day or blog night, maybe that will tip the balance. But I read more fear that's my own naiveté speaking."

McLaughlin, who has handled cases of wrongful death involving the police since 1997, said he was "almost speechless" after hearing about the grand jury's decision.