In what has to be one of the fastest moves by any prosecutor in the United States, Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby has ruled Freddie Gray’s death a homicide, and leveled charges against 6 Baltimore Police Officers. The officers voluntarily surrendered to the jail at 2 pm on Friday. They may be held at least 24 hours.
Baltimore state’s attorney Marilyn Mosby
Gray is said to have been in the police van roughly 40 minutes.
These are the charges released by the prosecutor’s office:
Officer Caesar R. Goodson Jr.: Second degree depraved heart murder; involuntary manslaughter; second degree assault; manslaughter by vehicle (gross negligence); manslaughter by vehicle (criminal negligence); misconduct in office
Officer William G. Porter: Involuntary manslaughter; second degree assault; misconduct in office
Lt. Brian W. Rice: Involuntary manslaughter; two counts of second degree assault; manslaughter by vehicle (gross negligence); two counts of misconduct in office; false imprisonment
Officer Edward M. Nero: Two counts of second degree assault; manslaughter by vehicle (gross negligence); two counts of misconduct in office; false imprisonment
Officer Garrett E. Miller: Two counts of second degree assault; two counts of misconduct in office; false imprisonment
Sgt. Alicia D. White: Involuntary manslaughter; second degree assault; misconduct in office
The reasons behind the charges:
The prosecutor states that the reason they are charging the officers is because the officers had several opportunities to stop and get treatment for Mr. Gray, but refused to do so. She also stated that Freddie Gray was arrested “illegally.”
The Baltimore Fraternal Order of Police, the local police union, issued a statement. The FOP sent a letter to the prosecutor asking her appoint a special prosecutor for the officers. Thus far, there has been no response.
An Open Letter to State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby 5/1/2015 pic.twitter.com/iUJ7elR3bq
— Baltimore City FOP (@FOP3) May 1, 2015
“No officer injured Mr. Gray, caused harm to Mr. Gray, and they are truly saddened by his death,” Michael Davey, an attorney for the Baltimore Fraternal Order of Police, said at a news conference. “These officers did nothing wrong.” But GoFundMe suspended the account for the FOP without an explanation.
Apparently our GoFundMe account has been suspended with no explanation. We are working to find a new site for donations. Thank you! — Baltimore City FOP (@FOP3) May 1, 2015
What do you think about this case? With a previous spinal injury, are the officers responsible for Freddie Gray’s death? Stay tuned.