Pennsylvania State Troopers in riot gear deploy near the intersection of North Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue May 1, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. Baltimore authorities are releasing a report on the death of Freddie Gray this morning. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
The six officers who were involved in the arrest of Freddie Gray—whose death as a result of injuries sustained while in police custody sparked protests in Baltimore this week—have been charged with criminal offenses. Gray’s death has also been ruled a homicide, State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby announced at a press conference on Friday.
Mosby said that there was no probably cause to arrest Gray, who had a knife of legal size in his pocket. Police had previously said it was an illegal switchblade.
The investigation found that Gray had his wrists and ankles bound while he lay stomach-down in a police van, the Baltimore Sun reported. Mosby said that officers put Gray in the van or checked on him five times, each time failing to ensure his safety. By the time they reached the police station after driving around west Baltimore, he was in a cardiac arrest after suffering a “severe and critical neck injury.”
The officers’ charges are as follows, according to the Sun.
- Officer Caesar R. Goodson Jr.: Second-degree depraved heart murder, involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault, manslaughter by vehicle, misconduct in office.
- Officer William G. Porter: Involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault, misconduct in office.
- Lt. Brian W. Rice: Involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault, misconduct in office, false imprisonment.
- Officer Edward M. Nero: Second-degree assault, misconduct in office, false imprisonment.
- Officer Garrett Miller: Second-degree assault, misconduct in office, false imprisonment.
- Sgt. Alicia D. White: Manslaughter, second-degree assault, misconduct in office.
Mosby, who dismissed calls that she step away from the case because she is married to a city Councilman, said she has met with Gray’s family. “I told them no one is above the law and I would pursue justice upon their behalf,” she said.
Rachel Sadon