Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby has found that the death of Freddie Gray was a homicide, and warrants have been issued for the arrest of six Baltimore police officers.
Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby told reporters Friday that her office’s investigation, coupled with a medical examiner’s determination that Freddie Gray’s death was a homicide, led her to determine there is probable cause to file criminal charges. She didn’t immediately say who would be charged; a news conference continues.
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Mosby said Friday that three Baltimore police officers illegally arrested Gray on April 12. She also said that a knife that Gray had was not illegal.
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of six Baltimore police officers.
According to The Baltimore Sun, “Six officers are each facing multiple charges, including manslaughter, assault, misconduct in office and false imprisonment: Lt. Brian Rice, Sgt. Alicia White, Officer William Porter, Officer Garrett Miller, Officer Edward Nero and Officer Caesar Goodson. Goodson, who drove the van, has been charged with second-degree murder.”
Mosby stressed that the officers must be held accountable and that her investigation was about justice and accountability. The State’s Attorney added, “I heard your call for ‘no justice, no peace. Your peace is sincerely needed as I work to deliver justice on behalf of this young man.”
Needless to say that after Ferguson, few expected that these police officers would be held accountable for the death of Freddie Gray. The transparency and openness that the State’s Attorney, which was powered by an independent investigation, provided was exactly what the city and the nation needed. Mosby’s press conference left no doubt, and no major unanswered questions. It could be argued that all six officers deserve to be charged with murder, but officials in Baltimore moved swiftly and unlike officials in Ferguson acted in the public interest.
All of these officers are facing charges of murder and/or manslaughter and assault. Mosby’s actions are a major step towards justice, and she deserves praise for her swift and decisive action.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
