The State Attorney for Baltimore, Marilyn J. Mosby announced on Friday, 1st May, that the death of Freddie Gray was a homicide and 6 officers will be indicted for his murder, according to New York Times. .
“Mr. Gray’s death was a homicide,” Marilyn said amid the cheers from the assembled crowd. She chose to announce this at the steps of the War Memorial in the City.
Mosby announced the stiffest charge — second-degree murder against the driver of the police van. Other officers face charges of involuntary manslaughter, assault and illegal arrest. Mosby said the switchblade officers accused Gray of illegally carrying clipped inside his pants pocket, which was in fact a legal knife, and as such, there was no justification for his arrest.
“Mr. Gray suffered a critical neck injury as a result of being handcuffed, shackled by his feet and unrestrained inside the BPD wagon,” she said, referring to the police van.
“Despite repeated stops to check on his condition, the van driver and other officers never belted him in, at times leaving him facedown on the van floor with his hands behind him. The officers ignored his plea for help and medical assistance”
The State Attorney continued that Freddie’s medical condition deteriorated after he was taken into custody. She did not mention whether the driver of the police vehicle, officer Ceaser Goodson intentionally gave Freddie a rough ride by slamming him against the bolt or some other pointed parts of the vehicle, resulting in his injury. The vehicle driver was however slammed with the heaviest of the charges – second degree murder!
Source: NY Times
