Jamaican News

Indictments against 6 police officers means prosecution in Freddie Gray case can proceed

By Juliet Linderman

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

6 officers

BALTIMORE _ A grand jury’s decision to indict all six officers charged in the case of an African-American whose death from injuries he suffered in police custody sparked rioting and nationwide protests, allows the state’s attorney to press ahead with the most serious charges despite criticism she was part of an “overzealous prosecution.”

The indictments announced Thursday were similar to the charges Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby announced three weeks ago.

Attorneys for the officers have said in court documents they are the victims of an “overzealous prosecution” riddled with personal and political conflicts of interest. At a minimum, they said, Mosby should be replaced with an independent prosecutor because she had a personal interest in calming unrest in the city that followed Freddie Gray’s death and because her husband is a city councilman who represents the areas most affected by upheaval.

Grey suffered a critical spinal injury April 12 after police handcuffed, shackled and placed him head-first into a van, Mosby has said. His pleas for medical attention were repeatedly ignored.

His death a week later spawned protests that on two occasions gave way to violence and looting.

Two officers, Edward Nero and Garrett Miller, were indicted on second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office for “failure to perform a duty regarding the safety of a prisoner” and for an illegal arrest, Mosby said.

Caesar Goodson, who drove the van, faces manslaughter and a second-degree “depraved heart” murder charge, as well as misconduct in office and second-degree assault. Sgt. Alicia White, Lt. Brian Rice and Officer William Porter are each charged with manslaughter, second-degree assault and misconduct in office. Those officers also face reckless-endangerment charges.

Nero, Miller and Rice are white; Goodson, Porter and White are black.

Grey’s death became a symbol of what protesters say is a pattern of police brutality against African-Americans in Baltimore. Following Gray’s death, the Justice Department announced a civil rights investigation of the Baltimore Police Department to search for discriminatory policing practices and examine allegations that officers too often use excessive force and make unconstitutional searches and arrests.

According to court documents, Gray made eye contact with a police officer and took off running. He was apprehended two blocks away and arrested for possession of a knife that Miller wrote in charging documents is illegal under a city ordinance. Mosby said the arrest was unlawful because the knife is legal under state law.

None of the officers secured Gray’s seatbelt in the van, a violation of police policy. Soon after he was placed in the van, Goodson made a second stop during which Gray was secured in leg irons because he was “irate,” police said.

After a ride that included two more stops, including one to pick up a second passenger, the van arrived at the Western District police station. By that time, Gray was non-responsive.

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