Criminal charges have been filed against six Baltimore Police officers involved in the death of Freddie Gray. Maryland state attorney Marilyn Mosby announced in a press conference earlier today that charges including second-degree murder, manslaughter, false imprisonment and misconduct in office will be brought against the policemen.
Citing her legal team's "comprehensive, thorough, and independent investigation," Mosby was greeted with cheers and applause from onlookers as she confirmed her probable cause for filing criminal charges.
Gray was apprehended by the charged officers on April 12th, after fleeing them on foot while unarmed. Mosby described in detail Gray's willful surrender to officers during the encounter, which subsequently lead to him suffering a spinal cord injury while in police custody. Gray died of his injuries seven days later.
Mosby described Gray's interaction with the officers in detail, noting that the young man was indeed in possession of a knife, albeit one that was legal under Maryland law and not classified as a switchblade.
Officers involved in the apprehension "failed to establish probable cause for mister Gray's arrest, as no crime had been committed by mister Gray." Mosby confirmed Gray's arrest to be illegal, and cited officers' actions as being directly responsible for his fatal injuries.
"Mister Gray suffered a severe and critical neck injury as a result of being handcuffed, shackled by his feet, and unrestrained inside of the B.P.D. wagon," Mosby confirmed.
The confirmation of criminal charges against the officers arrived just as the Office of the Maryland Public Defender announced it was challenging the unlawful detention of 230 inmates booked during the days of protests following Gray's death [pdf].
Elsewhere during the address, Mosby praised those who have marched and demonstrated peacefully across Baltimore in recent days, asserting "I commend your courage to stand for justice." The attorney also commended those who "stepped up Monday night to protect our communities from those who wish to destroy it."
"I had the opportunity to meet with mister Gray's family to discuss some of the details of the case, and the procedural steps going forward" Mosby said during the press conference. "I assured his family that no one is above the law, and that I would pursue justice on their behalf."
Watch Attorney Mosby's full press conference and read a complete list of the Baltimore Police officers' charges below:
Caesar Goodson Jr., 45, was charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter, second-degree assault, two vehicular manslaughter charges and misconduct in office.
Officer William Porter, 25, was charged with involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault and misconduct in office.
Lt. Brian Rice, 41, was charged with involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault and misconduct in office.
Sgt. Alicia White, 30, was charged with involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault and misconduct in office.
Officer Edward Nero, 29, was charged with second-degree assault and misconduct in office.
Officer Garrett Miller, 26, was charged with second-degree assault, misconduct in office and false imprisonment.
