In a swift decision, the Baltimore State Prosecutor charged six officers on Friday in the death of Freddie Gray. The charges range from second degree assault to manslaughter and murder.
Marilyn J. Mosby, the state's attorney, filed the charges in a relatively quick manner. Her decision on Friday came almost immediately after she received results from a medical examiner regarding Freddie Gray's death; the report ruled the death as homicide. The police gave their findings on the case to Ms. Mosby just yesterday.
Mosby's charges against officers were met with cheers and shouts from the crowd as she announced that Freddie Gray's death occurred from injuries sustained in his transportation. According to the attorney, Gray received a fatal spinal injury while in a police van; officers did not secure Gray before driving.
"Mr. Gray suffered a critical neck injury as a result of being handcuffed, shackled by his feet and unrestrained inside the BPD wagon," said Mosby.
According to Mosby, the injury did not occur during the arrest. Further, Mosby stated that Gray was unlawfully arrested. Officers charged Gray with having possession of a switch blade, but the officers were mistaken and the knife Gray was carrying was a legal model.
Before being put into the police vehicle, Gray said that "he needed help and indicated that he could not breathe," said Mosby. Officers ignored his request and placed him on the floor of the van.
Officer Casesar R. Goodson Jr., the driver of the van, is charged with second degree depraved heart murder. Goodson, who allegedly checked on Gray throughout the ride, did not secure Gray in a seatbelt despite stopping the vehicle several times and going to the back to check up on Gray. Goodson is also charged with manslaughter, second degree assault, and misconduct.
Lt. Brian W. Rice is charged with manslaughter, second degree assault, false imprisonment, and misconduct. Officer William G. Porter and Sgt. Alicia D. White are charged with manslaughter, assault, and misconduct. Officer Garret E. Miller and Officer Edward M. Nero are charged with assault, misconduct, and false imprisonment.
The prosecutor's office will conduct further inquiry into Freddie Gray's case, particularly the details of the stops made by the police van while Gray was inside.
