Six police officers have been slapped with a variety of charges, including manslaughter and murder charges, in the Freddie Gray case, the New York Times reports. In a stunning turn of events, Baltimore prosecutors said that the cops will face charges of unlawful arrest, manslaughter, assault, misconduct and false imprisonment. One of the police officers will also face second degree murder charges.
Speaking at a hastily called press conference, state attorney Marilyn J. Mosby said that the police had no probable cause to arrest Gray. She said that reports Gray had been carrying a switchblade were false, and that the knife he had in his possession was legal.
Mosby stated that Gray’s death was caused by injuries he sustained after police officers failed to provide him with a seat belt after they placed him into their van. Reports that Gray had been trying to injure himself were found to be false, and Mosby said prosecutors have “probable cause to file criminal charges.”
Yesterday, it emerged that investigators had recovered a new privately owned video that showed what happened during one of the stops the van made. That stop was purportedly “to deal with Mr. Gray.” It is unclear whether that video was a factor in the decision to press charges against the arresting officers.
Upon the announcement, there was widespread cheering on the streets of Baltimore. Residents have been kept under a curfew, with the National Guard embedded in the city after days of rioting and looting in protest of the actions of police in the case.
Gray was arrested on April 12 after allegedly “making eye contact” with police. He then fled on foot, and officers tackled him to the ground. The took him into custody after finding what they falsely claimed was a switchblade knife in his possession. They placed him into their police van but did not follow procedure when they failed to secure him with a seat belt. By the time the van stopped, Gray was unconscious. He died a week later in the hospital after extensive attempts to save his life failed.
It is unknown at this time whether the six cops charged in Gray’s death have been taken into custody yet. The six officers charged are: Sgt. Alicia D. White, Lt. Brian W. Rice, Officer Garrett E. Miller, Caesar R. Goodson Jr., Officer Edward M. Nero and Officer William G. Porter.
