Freddie Gray’s Death: Baltimore Officers Charges Detailed
Baltimore state prosecutor Marilyn J. Mosby said on May 1st that Freddie Gray’s death was a homicide and his arrest had been illegal.
Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old black man, died in police custody on April 19.
Marilyn Mosby has also announced she filed criminal charges against six Baltimore police officers.
Meanwhile, a lawyer for the Baltimore police officers says they “did nothing wrong”.
Lawyer Michael Davey said the officers “at all times acted reasonably and in accordance with their training”.
Freddie Gray’s death sparked violent protests in Baltimore.
Six officers are charged in Freddie Gray’s death from injuries he suffered while in police custody.
State Attorney Marilyn Mosby says the officers repeatedly failed to get Freddie Gray medical treatment after his arrest.
The police officers’ union has said they are not responsible for Freddie Gray’s death.
Officer Caesar Goodson: Was the driver of the van that transported Freddie Gray, and he faces the most serious charges. He repeatedly failed — at least five times — to seatbelt Freddie Gray in the transport vehicle. He faces 2nd-degree depraved heart murder, involuntary manslaughter, 2nd degree negligent assault, manslaughter by vehicle by means of gross negligence, manslaughter by vehicle by means of criminal negligence, misconduct in office for failure to secure prisoner and failure to render aid. All charges carry a potential 30-year sentence.
Caesar Goodson, 45, has been on the force since 1999, and like two others charged in Freddie Gray’s death is black.
Officer William G. Porter: Faces charges of involuntary manslaughter, assault in the 2nd degree, misconduct in office. At one point during the van ride, Caesar Goodson requested help checking on Freddie Gray. William Porter, 25, who joined the force in 2012, responded. Both he and Caesar Goodson checked on Freddie Gray. William Porter, who is black, helped Freddie Gray from the floor to a bench in the van, but neither Goodson nor Porter requested medical attention or put a seatbelt on Gray.
Lieutenant Brian W. Rice: Faces charges of involuntary manslaughter, assault in the 2nd degree, assault in the 2nd degree [second of two similar charges], misconduct in office, false imprisonment.
Brian Rice was on bike patrol when he made eye contact with Freddie Gray on a Baltimore street April 12. Freddie Gray ran, and Brian Rice pursued him. Bike patrol officers Garrett Miller and Edward Nero joined the pursuit.
Brian Rice, 41, is the most senior officer to be charged. He joined the police force in 1997 and was promoted to lieutenant in 2011, police said.
Officer Edward M. Nero: Faces charges of assault in the 2nd degree (intentional), assault in the 2nd degree (negligent), misconduct in office, false imprisonment.
Officer Garrett E. Miller: Faces charges of intentional assault in the 2nd degree, assault in the 2nd degree, negligent misconduct in office, false imprisonment.
Freddie Gray surrendered to Garrett Miller, 26, and Edward Nero, 29. Miller and Nero handcuffed Gray and put him on the ground. Gray told the officers that he couldn’t breathe and requested an inhaler. The two officers, both of whom joined the police force in 2012, sat Gray up and found a folded knife clipped to the inside of his pants pocket, a knife that is lawful under Maryland law. Previously, police have said they found a switchblade.
While Freddie Gray was being transported, Garrett Miller, Edward Nero and Brian Rice took him out of the wagon and put flex handcuffs and leg shackles on him. After that stop, they put Freddie Gray back into the van on his stomach without a seatbelt.
Sergeant Alicia D. White: Faces charges of involuntary manslaughter, 2nd degree assault, misconduct in office. She is the second-highest officer charged in the Gray case. She met the van at its stop to pick up the second person.
Alicia White, 30, was responsible for investigating two citizen complaints about Freddie Gray’s arrest. Alicia White, who is black, joined the police in 2010 and was recently made a sergeant in January 2015, police said.