Grand Jury Indicts Six Baltimore Officers Involved In Freddie Gray’s Death
Baltimore City State’s attorney Marilyn Mosby announced on Thursday that the six officers involved in the police-custody death of Freddie Gray had been indicted.
Speaking at a press conference, Mosby said that the indictment followed two weeks of prosecutors presenting evidence to a grand jury. She also stated that some of the charges were changed based on additional information discovered after the start of the investigation. However, she did not elaborate on this.
“As our investigation has continued, additional information has been discovered, and as is often the case, during an ongoing investigation charges can and should be revised, based upon the evidence.”
The list of charges in the indictments were similar to the charges announced by the State’s Attorney three weeks ago – with charges ranging from second-degree murder to reckless endangerment and assault.
Gray, 25, died a week after suffering several injuries, including a severed spine and a crushed voice box, having been handcuffed, shackled, and placed head-first into a van. His pleas for medical assistance were repeatedly ignored by the police.
Following his death last month, protests erupted across Baltimore and various places throughout the nation, with civilians calling for justice against police brutality and discrimination faced by African American men.
The six officers facing the indictments are Officer Garrett E. Miller, Sgt. Alicia D. White, Officer Caesar R. Goodson, Jr., Officer William G. Porter, Lt. Brian W. Rice, and Officer Edward M. Nero.
Nero and Miller were indicted on second-degree assault, misconduct in office, and reckless endangerment. Godson, who was the driver of the van, faces manslaughter and second-degree “depraved heart” murder. While White, Rice, and Porter each face charges of manslaughter, second-degree assault, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment.
The grand jury did not charge officers Nero and Rice with false imprisonment, which are charges Mosby had initially pursued.
The officers are scheduled to be arraigned on July 2.
Mosby’s announcement of the charges against the officers earlier this month was met with cheers from nationwide protesters. But not everyone was pleased with her verdict.
She faced backlash from the police union – and attorneys for the officers requested Mosby be taken off the case because they believe she was too involved and had conflicts of interest. Mosby, however, denies the accusation.
Gray was arrested in West Baltimore after making eye contact with an officer and running away. He was caught two blocks away and apprehended for possession of a knife.
Following his arrest, Gray allegedly was not secured by a seatbelt when placed in the van, and, upon arrival at the police station after several stops, he was found unresponsive.
[Image via WBALTV]
