Baltimore Prom Queen Prosecutor Mosby drops all remaining charges against 3 officers; Call her a ZERO

ALL CHARGES DROPPED AGAINST REMAINING THREE BALTIMORE OFFICERS

JULY 27, 2016 – BALTIMORE, MD. – (NBC 4 ) — Prosecutors have dropped all remaining charges against the three Baltimore police officers in the death of Freddie Gray, bringing an end to the case without a conviction.

The cases against officers Garrett Miller, Alicia White and William Porter were dismissed.

Wednesday’s decision came after a judge acquitted three of the six officers charged in the case, including the van driver and another officer who was the highest-ranking of the group.

A jury deadlocked in the case of a fourth officer, William Porter, and the judge declared a mistrial.
The highest-ranking Baltimore police officer charged in the 2015 death of Freddie Gray has been found not guilty on all counts, marking the third acquittal of an officer charged in the case.

Judge Barry Williams found Lt. Brian Rice not guilty of involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office Monday. 

In his verdict, Williams said the failure to seat belt a detainee in a transport wagon is not inherently a crime, adding that the state failed to prove both that Rice was aware of his duty to seat belt Gray, and that he intentionally failed in that duty.

“The state failed to show that the defendant, even if he was aware of the risk, consciously disregarded that risk,” the judge said.

Williams also said the state failed to show that Rice was aware of an updated policy that requires officers to buckle in prisoners. As a result, Williams said he operated under the impression that Rice was guided by a previous policy that allows for officer discretion when deciding when to belt.

Gray was arrested after he ran from police officers in a high-crime area of the city. He was handcuffed and later shackled in the back of the police van, but officers did not ever buckle him in, which is the department’s policy. Gray died a week after his arrest.

Prosecutors had said Rice was most responsible of the six officers charged for following police procedures to fasten a prisoner in a seat belt, citing his 18 years of experience on the force.

The officer’s attorney said police could use discretion, if they believe their safety is at risk. Rice attorney Michael Belsky said officers had concerns, because Gray was not cooperative and they weren’t sure what onlookers would do if extra time was taken to fasten Gray in the van.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys gave different characterizations of the onlookers. Prosecutors described them as concerned observers, while Belsky said officers heard threatening comments during the arrest.

Rice is the fourth of the six officers charged to go on trial in Gray’s death. Three officers’ earlier trials resulted in two acquittals and a mistrial. 

The other two officers charged, Sgt. Alicia White and Officer Garrett Miller, filed motions to dismiss their cases last month.

From BALTIMORE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE Statement on Not Guilty Verdict for Officer Nero

Officer Nero is relieved that for him, this nightmare is nearing an end. Being falsely charged with a crime, and being prosecuted for reasons that have nothing to do with justice, is a horror that no person should ever have to endure. Unfortunately, however, his relief is tempered by the fact that five other Police Officers, outstanding men and women, and good friends, must continue to fight these baseless prosecutions.

None of these Officers did anything wrong.

The State Attorney’s office responded to the riots and violence in Baltimore by rushing to charge these Officers rashly and without any meaningful investigation. They seized a political opportunity and in the process destroyed 6 lives and demolished the relationship between the Baltimore Police department and their own office.

Officer Nero prays that justice will serve each of the remaining Officers with the same fairness that it served him. He implores State’s Attorney Mosby to refocus her flawed analysis of the facts surrounding Mr. Gray’s death and dismiss the remaining charges. These are good Police Officers and good people. While Mr. Gray’s death is no doubt tragic on many levels, maintaining these prosecutions only propels the tragedy to another level.

Lt. Gene Ryan,
President

From NBC 4 Washington

Officers Charged in the Death of Freddie Gray

Photo	Name	Age	Trial Notes	Charges
	Officer Caesar R. Goodson, Jr.	46	Acquitted on all charges June 23, 2016	7 charges: second-degree murder, manslaughter, second-degree assault, manslaughter by auto (gross negligence), manslaughter by vehicle (criminal negligence), misconduct in office, reckless endangerment
	Officer Garrett E. Miller	26	Trial begins July 27, 2016	4 charges: second-degree assault, two counts of misconduct in office, reckless endangerment
	Officer Edward M. Nero	30	Acquitted on all charges May 23, 2016	4 charges: second-degree assault, two counts of misconduct in office, reckless endangerment
	Officer William G. Porter	26	First trial ended in mistrial Dec. 16; new trial begins Sept. 6, 2016	4 charges: manslaughter, second-degree assault, misconduct in office, reckless endangerment
	Lt. Brian W. Rice	42	Acquitted on all charges July 18, 2016	3 charges: manslaughter, misconduct in office, reckless endangerment. Judge previously dismissed second-degree assault charge.
	Sgt. Alicia D. White	31	Trial begins Oct. 13, 2016	4 charges: manslaughter, second-degree assault, misconduct in office, reckless endangerment

Baltimore City States Attorney Marilyn Mosby announced charges against six Baltimore Police Officers.

One has been charged with second-degree murder.  All six have had warrants issued for their arrests.

From The Baltimore City States Attorney:
Today Marilyn Mosby, State’s Attorney for Baltimore City, announced charges against six Baltimore City Police Officers for their alleged role in the death of Freddie Gray. The State’s Attorney’s Office conducted an independent investigation into this matter upon receiving notice of the incident.

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The charges with the respective maximum penalties are as follows:

Officer Caesar R. Goodson, Jr.

1. Second degree depraved heart murder (30 yrs.)
2. Manslaughter (involuntary) (10 yrs.)
3. Assault/second degree (10 yrs.)
4. Manslaughter by vehicle (gross negligence) (10 yrs.)
5. Manslaughter by vehicle (criminal negligence) (3 yrs.)
6. Misconduct in office (8th Amendment*)

Officer William G. Porter

1. Manslaughter (involuntary) (10 yrs.)
2. Assault/second degree (10 yrs.)
3. Misconduct in office (8th Amendment*)

Lt. Brian W. Rice

1. Manslaughter (involuntary) (10 yrs.)
2. Assault/second degree (10 yrs.)
3. Assault/second degree (10 yrs.)
4. Misconduct in office (8th Amendment*)
5. Misconduct in office (8th Amendment*)
6. False imprisonment (8th Amendment*)

Officer Edward M. Nero

1. Assault/second degree (10 yrs.)
2. Assault/second degree (10 yrs.)
3. Misconduct in office (8th Amendment*)
4. Misconduct in office (8th Amendment*)
5. False imprisonment (8th Amendment*)

 Officer Garrett E. Miller