Summary: The medical examiner has ruled Freddie Gray’s death as a homicide, leading to the quick decision to charge six police officers involved in the incident.
After protests and riots broke out on Monday in Baltimore over the death of Freddie Gray, protestors are finally seeing a glimpse of justice. Six police officers involved in the death of Gray are being charged. The charges range from misconduct in office to second-degree murder.
The officer being charged with murder was the driver of the van. The charge has a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. The other charges carry maximum sentences of three years to ten years in prison.
Gray was arrested on April 12 and placed inside a police van for transport. He was handcuffed but not otherwise restrained. He suffered a neck injury while in transit, asking for help at least twice but police waited 45 minutes before seeking help. When he was removed from the van, he was not breathing. Gray died from the injury a week later. His death has been ruled as a homicide by the medical examiner.
Prosecutor Marilyn Mosby said in a news conference on the steps of the War Memorial Building in Baltimore that she has “heard your call for ‘no justice, no peace’” while pleading with protestors to restore peace. The police had finalized their internal investigation yesterday, bringing a quick decision by Mosby to press charges. After her announcement, the streets of Baltimore erupted in cheers.
Members of the black community have been on edge after several incidents involving unarmed black men being killed by police have occurred in the last year. The protests and riots after Gray’s funeral on Monday have erupted in other cities across the nation as well. More demonstrations are planned for the weekend but the hopes are that they will have a more peaceful tone after this announcement.
The union representing the officers has asked for a special prosecutor to be appointed.
See “The Baltimore Protests Affect Three Law School Final Exam Schedules” to learn how law schools in the area are dealing with the protests and 10pm curfew.
Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/01/us-usa-police-baltimore-idUSKBN0NL1GO20150501
Photo: nymag.com