It's far, far harder to indict a police officer though - not only do they get premium representation through their union or similar structure, they also know the system and have personal relationships with those that would do the prosecuting.
Unless the grand jury system is different in Missouri, the defendant does not get to be represented. That's why it would be possible to indict a ham sandwich. A grand jury is not a trial, it's only a determination of probable cause.
Personally, I think I'd be hiring a lawyer no matter what, just because I'm not in the best state of mind after my kid gets killed(his fault or not) and I need advice. Plus, said representation can better work with the police to make sure the investigation is done right, and what can be done is done. Even if that doesn't mean money for me.
They did hire a lawyer, and the investigation apparently was done right. I don't think the grand jury made their decision the first day and then spent the rest of the time until yesterday playing pinochle. The problem is that, after "what can be done" has been done, the result was that the punk committed suicide by cop and the bereaved parents aren't willing to accept that.
Actually, has anyone heard from Michael Brown's real father since the verdict? The news is saying that "the family" is now calling for "justice" (even though they have it but choose not to accept reality), but I don't recall ever seeing or hearing anything about stepdaddy before the decision. Suddenly he's in the forefront of calling for anarchy and revolution. I wonder how Michael Brown, Sr., is reacting. He's probably accepting the decision quietly, whcih won't be reported because it doesn't make for salable news.