In the one year since Freddie Gray sustained fatal injuries while in police custody, there has been no accountability for his death. Six police officers were charged in the death of Gray on May 1, 2015. The Baltimore State’s Attorney’s office gears up for the next police officer trial of Edward Nero set for May 10. Whether Baltimore prosecutors will be able to convict any of the six officers still remains a mystery. The case of Freddie Gray and police misconduct is only one part of what the Freddie Gray case exposed about Baltimore. On April 12, 2015, Freddie Gray, age 25, was arrested on the streets of West Baltimore after running away from police officers. During his arrest transport in a police van, Gray, while unrestrained with a seat belt, sustained injuries to his spinal cord and died one week later. At the time, he arrived at Western District for processing; he had no pulse and was not breathing. On May 1, 2015, State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby charged 6 police … [Read more...] about Justice for Freddie Gray: One Year Later
Marilyn Mosby
Are the Baltimore Police Officer Cases Going Down a Dark Hole?
On February 4, Baltimore prosecutors appealed Judge Barry Williams’ decision that William Porter cannot be compelled to testify in the upcoming trial of officer Edward Nero charged with misdemeanor assault of Freddie Gray. For those who are not keeping score, 6 officers are charged. Three officers, William Porter, Caesar Goodson, Jr. and Alicia White are primarily charged with manslaughter with the van driver, Goodson being also charged for second degree murder. Porter’s case ended in a hung jury. Three arresting officers, including Edward Nero, William Garrett and Lt. Brian Rice are charged with misdemeanor assault, misconduct in office and other misdemeanors. Nero’s case was set to begin February 22 until the State decided to appeal Judge Williams’ ruling. Goodson and White’s trials are already on hold pending an appeal decision. Defense attorneys appealed Williams' ruling in those two cases. The trial against William Porter ended in a hung jury in December. … [Read more...] about Are the Baltimore Police Officer Cases Going Down a Dark Hole?
Baltimore Freddie Gray Case Needs Justice and Peace
On September 2, all eyes will once again be on my hometown of Baltimore as the case of six police officers charged with the death of Freddie Gray goes to court for pre-trial motions. The outcome of the hearings will likely determine the trial location, type of trial and whether a trial will even occur. As a former prosecutor from the same office trying the case against the officers, my heart is with the prosecutors. As a trial lawyer, my head tells me the prosecutors have a difficult case. Freddie Gray died from spinal injuries a week after being arrested and found lying unconscious in a police van on April 12. His death caused demonstrations in Baltimore and other cities to protest police violence against unarmed persons. During Baltimore’s protests, police arrested over 200 persons and the Mayor imposed a curfew following a state of emergency. Peace returned to Baltimore when State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby announced charges against the six officers on May 1. Ironically, the … [Read more...] about Baltimore Freddie Gray Case Needs Justice and Peace
What the Media Got Wrong About Marilyn Mosby
Once Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby announced that her office was bringing charges against the six police officers allegedly involved in the death of Freddie Gray, all media piercing eyes were focused on her with extreme scrutiny. There was very little praise for Mosby conducting her own individual investigation instead of relying on the police to police and investigate themselves. There was little discussion of her investigation except to say that it was swift. Yet, the police concluded their investigation in the same time period and no one questioned their swiftness. The media mostly focused on her age, her lack of experience with homicides, potential conflicts of interests with the Gray family attorney, bias against the police, conflicts due to her husband’s position and a host of other things. Almost nothing good has been said about Mosby in the media. At 35 years old, she is the youngest chief prosecutor in a major city. Ms. Mosby worked at the Baltimore … [Read more...] about What the Media Got Wrong About Marilyn Mosby