Ferguson grand jury will not reach decision on Michael Brown shooting until MONDAY as unarmed 18-year-old's mother urges protesters to stay peaceful

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Grand jury planned to conclude by Friday night or work through weekend
But 12 civilians have 'adjourned and plan to deliberate further on Monday'
Michael Brown's mother issued emotional plea to protesters on Saturday
Urged them to remain peaceful, saying: 'I don't want nobody getting hurt'
Police with grenade launchers have lined streets of Ferguson in Missouri
Officers also have armored vehicles, riot shields and conventional firearms

By Sophie Jane Evans for MailOnline and Mia De Graaf for MailOnline and Kieran Corcoran for MailOnline

Published: 19:37 EST, 22 November 2014 | Updated: 03:17 EST, 23 November 2014

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The grand jury deliberating over the shooting death of Michael Brown will not make a decision until at least Monday, it has emerged, as the 18-year-old's mother has begged protesters to stay peaceful.

The secret panel, which is deciding whether to indict officer Darren Wilson for fatally shooting the unarmed black teenager in Ferguson on August 9, had planned to reach a decision on Friday night.

However, according to Downtown STL Inc, a St. Louis civic group, the decision could come late next week as the 12 civilians plan to reconvene on Monday to deliberate further.

It is unclear how the firm gleaned the information from the closed-door Missouri hearing, before sharing it in an email to business partners on Saturday afternoon.

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Plea: In an emotional plea via megaphone on Saturday night, Michael Brown's grief-stricken mother, Lesley McSpadden (pictured center), begged a crowd of demonstrators in Ferguson, Missouri, to remain peaceful

Support: Ms McSpadden (pictured hugging a supporter) told protesters: 'I just want y'all to be careful. Don't agitate them. I don't want nobody getting hurt... when it's time to walk into court, I want all y'all with me'

Tearful: She also urged demonstrators to keep faith. Above, McSpadden weeps as she hugs a demonstrator

Waiting: Anthony Gray, attorney for Michael Brown's family, has not been informed of an imminent decision in Michael's case. The grand jury may not make a decision until at least Monday, it was revealed on Saturday

Great fear of violence: Barricades have been erected around the justice center (pictured) where the jury deliberates. The panel had planned to reach a decision on Friday night or, failing that, work at the weekend

Devastation: But the decision could come late next week as the panel plans to reconvene on Monday to deliberate further. Above, Michael's death, on this stretch of road in Ferguson, Missouri, has shaken the US

Ben Crump, one of the Brown family's attorneys, said the jury had initially planned to work over the weekend if Friday's deadline fell through. He confirmed no conclusion had been reached.

The delay was revealed as Michael's mother, Lesley McSpadden, urged a crowd of demonstrators gathered along Canfield Drive - just feet away from where her son was killed - to avoid violence.

In an emotional plea via megaphone, she told protesters on Saturday night: 'I just want y'all to be careful. Don't agitate them, don't let them agitate y'all. I don't want nobody getting hurt.

'We all willing to do something, but I don't want nobody getting hurt, see what I'm saying? Because when it's time to walk into the courtroom, I want all y'all with me.'

She also asked demonstrators to 'keep the faith', despite the majority of supporters expecting the charges against Wilson to be dropped, according to a video obtained by the Huffington Post.

And she said she was speaking out on 'behalf of everybody who was affected' by her son's death.

Michael Brown's mother speaks before Ferguson protest

Mounting tension: Following the grief-stricken mother's message, the crowd held hands and prayed around a makeshift memorial for Michael (pictured), whose death made headlines across the world in August

Paying tribute: Demonstrators pray around a memorial at the spot where Michael Brown was shot to death

Angry: A demonstrator is seen shouting slogans as she waves a US flags in Ferguson, Missouri, on Saturday

Taking action: Demonstrators march along a road in Ferguson as they await for the grand jury's decision

Against the police: Ms McSpadden said she was speaking out on 'behalf of everybody who was affected' by her son's death. Above, protesters - some dressed in masks - are seen surrounding a police car Saturday night

Supporters: A protester marches in Ferguson on Saturday (left) - over three months after Michael (right) died

Following the grief-stricken mother's message, the crowd held hands and prayed around a makeshift memorial for Michael, whose death made headlines across the world.

Some protesters then marched down West Florissant Avenue for the second time that evening, passing boarded-up storefronts and chanting: 'Rain, sleet, hail, snow, hell no, we won’t go.'

Earlier on Saturday, grenade-wielding militia and almost 100 FBI agents lined the streets of Ferguson in bullet-proof cars to prepare for potential turmoil when the verdict is made public.

Fighting for the same cause: Some protesters marched down West Florissant Avenue for the second time that evening, passing boarded-up storefronts and chanting: 'Rain, sleet, hail, snow, hell no, we won’t go'

Chanting: A protester chants during Saturday night's demonstrations over Michael's shooting on August 9

'Stop with the games': Protesters hold signs on Saturday night along a stretch of road where violent protests occurred following the shooting of Michael by white police office Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri

Memorial: Donning a yellow cap and carrying an American flag, supporter Gina Gowdry is pictured walking past a memorial for Michael which depicts his high school photo, more than three months after he was killed

Standing guard: Police watch as supporters march along a road where violent protests previously occurred

Barricades have been erected around the jury's meeting room and schools are preparing to close.

A police force which helped patrol the streets of Ferguson during protests over the killing of Michael Brown is kitted out with grenade launchers and military-grade vehicles.

The lethal arsenal of the St Louis Police Department, which sent forces to the Missouri city during fraught demonstrations this year, also includes mobile riot shields, Tasers and an extensive array of conventional firearms.

Police stand guard during a demonstration outside Ferguson Police Department in the early hours of Sunday

Angry: Protester Derrick Robinson shouts through a bullhorn at police officers during the demonstrations

Journalist Trey Yingst is arrested during a demonstration outside Ferguson Police Department on Sunday

A protester is arrested after blocking traffic during a demonstration outside Ferguson Police Department

Police officers armaments, often provided by the Federal government under a scheme to re-use old army equipment, have been under increased scrutiny after shocking images of heavily-armed officers emerged in the wake of Michael's death.

The new list of equipment was revealed to BuzzFeed News under freedom of information laws, and details all significant equipment acquired by the police force since 2004.

Worrying entries in the arsenal of the force, which is responsible for just over 300,000 people, include two PGL-65 multi-shot grenade launchers, from which one officer can fire six canisters in a matter of seconds without reloading.

Kitted out: Heavily-armed police officers lined the streets of Ferguson in August. The arsenal of one of the departments involved has been revealed under freedom of information laws

Freeze: Conventional firearms populated most of the list, but more exotic weapons and vehicles also feature

The pump-action weapons were seen on the streets of Ferguson firing tear gas rounds, but can also launch flash bangs, non-lethal foam rounds, and traditional 40mm explosive grenades.

The police department also has access to a 1969 Hughes MH-6C helicopter, which can have mini-guns, rockets and anti-tank missile attached. It also has two other helicopters.

Dozens of pistols and rifles were also included in the load-out - as was a powerful 'acoustic device' which can fire deafening noises into crowds.

A member of the St. Louis County Police tactical team fires rounds of tear gas into a crowd of people in response to a series of gun shots fired at the police during demonstrations along W. Florissant Road

Soundwaves: An acoustic launcher capable of firing deafening noises into crowds, like the one above, featured in the St Louis Police Department kitlist

Defensive equipment for the police included dozens of thick riot shields and a BearCat armored personnel carrier which is strong enough to withstand a blast from a land mine.

Proponents of the mass buy-up of lethal technology has said that a well-armed police force can help shut down potentially dangerous confrontations.

However, critics say it creates an overly aggressive force which is more able - and likely - to inflict harm on the population.

On August 20 in Ferguson a police officer, Ray Albers, was suspended after pointing an assault rifle at a Ferguson protester and reportedly threatening to kill.