On June 23, Caesar Goodson was acquitted of all charges stemming from the death of Freddie Gray. The most serious charges including 2nd degree murder were facing Goodson, along with manslaughter, assault, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office. The trial and verdict were watched in the U.S. and abroad as the issue of police brutality took center stage. Immediately following the verdict, I spoke from the Baltimore Court house to Fox 5 DC. Here's the segment on Fox 5 DC: … [Read more...] about What Not Guilty for Baltimore Police Officer Means
Caesar Goodson
Baltimore Police Officer Goodson Trial Recap before Verdict
Officer Caesar Goodson’s trial transcends beyond Baltimore in exposing difficulties in proving police brutality cases when relying on police to investigate other officers. Closing arguments begin on Monday, June 20, in the trial of Caesar Goodson, the van driver and third Baltimore officer, to go to trial for the death of Freddie Gray. Goodson’s trial exposed the heart of the problems with proving these officers guilty of the various crimes for which they are charged in Gray’s death. And Goodson’s trial transcends beyond Baltimore in exposing difficulties in proving police brutality cases when relying on police to investigate other officers. Gray died on April 19, 2015 after being placed in police custody in a police van without a seat belt on April 12, 2015. The state alleges he was given a “rough ride” by van driver officer Goodson, which ultimately resulted in his spinal injuries and death, along with a failure to seat belt Gray, to avoid injury. Goodson faces the most serious … [Read more...] about Baltimore Police Officer Goodson Trial Recap before Verdict
High Stakes for Third Baltimore Police Officer Trial
The stakes are high for Baltimore City prosecutors as the third of six high profile police officer trials in the death of Freddie Gray starts on Monday, June 6 with Officer Caesar Goodson, the van driver. Prosecutors were unable to obtain a conviction in the first two trials of Officers Porter and Edward Nero. Porter’s case ended in a mistrial and Nero’s trial ended in an acquittal of all charges. Goodson is considered to be the most culpable of the six as he is the only officer charged with the highest charge of second degree “depraved heart” murder. And Goodson was driving the van in which the prosecutors allege the injuries occurred. Whether prosecutors will be able to convict Goodson of any charges remains to be seen. There is no doubt that high pressure is on the prosecutors in this case. There are several key things to watch for in Goodson’s case. First, Goodson did not give a statement to any investigators. And he has an absolute right to remain silent at his trial. The state … [Read more...] about High Stakes for Third Baltimore Police Officer Trial
Prosecution of Baltimore Police Officer’s Case on Life Support
The hung jury in December of William Porter’s trial raises critical issues for the prosecution in trying the van driver, Caesar Goodson, for the death of Freddie Gray. Goodson’s trial scheduled to start on January 11, was postponed on the same day by the Maryland Court of Special Appeals pending rulings on whether Porter must testify in the case. The prosecution’s cases of the 6 Baltimore police officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray are difficult ones to prove. As a former Baltimore prosecutor, I know the challenges of proving a homicide case based on circumstantial evidence. Despite much of the perception of a slam dunk case for a conviction, without video, a confession and any eyewitnesses other than the involved police officers and another detainee in the van, Donta Allen, who testified as a defense witness for the police, the prosecution always faced an uphill battle. On April 12, police arrested Freddie Gray and placed him in a police van driven by … [Read more...] about Prosecution of Baltimore Police Officer’s Case on Life Support