Protesters expected to reconvene for 3rd day after acquittal of former officer in St. Louis

ST. LOUIS -- Demonstrators are expected to reconvene near St. Louis on Sunday afternoon for a third day of protests following the acquittal of a white former police officer in the fatal shooting of a black man.

Protests turned violent for a second night late Saturday, as a small group of demonstrators refused to disperse, breaking windows at dozens of businesses and throwing objects at police, who moved in with hundreds of officers in riot gear to make arrests.

The confrontation took place in the Delmar Loop area of University City, a suburb about 10 miles (16 kilometers) west of St. Louis near Washington University. The area is known for concert venues, restaurants, shops and bars and includes the Blueberry Hill club where rock legend Chuck Berry played for many years.

City and county police tweeted that they had arrested at least nine people.

Demonstrators have been protesting a judge's ruling Friday clearing ex-officer Jason Stockley of first-degree murder in the 2011 shooting of 24-year-old Anthony Lamar Smith.

Protesters smashed the windows of dozens of businesses and threw objects at police near St. Louis in a second night of violence after the acquittal of a white former policeman in the shooting of a black man.

The confrontation took place late Saturday night in the Delmar Loop area of University City, a suburb about 10 miles (16 kilometers) west of St. Louis. The area is known for restaurants, shops and bars.

A few dozen protesters refused to disperse after a non-violent march. Hundreds of police in riot gear moved in. The demonstrators retreated down a street, vandalizing businesses.

City and county police say they made at least nine arrests. At least one demonstrator was treated after he was hit with pepper spray.