Marilyn Mosby announces charges during a news conference on Friday,
Baltimore’s chief prosecutor is promising justice for Freddie Gray.
Six cops were charged Friday in the death of Gray, whose fatal neck injury while in police custody has sparked massive protests.
The criminal charges — including murder, manslaughter and assault — were announced by State Attorney Marilyn Mosby during a dramatic press conference in front of City Hall.
“Mr. Gray’s death was a homicide,” she said, prompting some in the crowd to applaud and call out “Justice!” as she announced the prosecution.
The 25-year-old Gray “suffered a severe and critical neck injury” while being driven unrestrained in a police wagon April 12 and “was not breathing at all” by the end of the ride,” Mosby said. He died a week later.
The officers — who detained him even though he committed no crime — also ignored his repeated pleas for help, Mosby charged.
The driver of the van, Officer Caesar Goodson, was charged with depraved murder that carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison plus other counts including manslaughter.
Lt. Brian Rice, the highest ranking cop involved, was hit with manslaughter, assault and misconduct charges.
Four others — Officers William Porter, Edward Nero, Garett Miller and Sgt. Alicia White — were variously charged with manslaughter, assault, misconduct and false imprisonment.
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They all face up to 10 years behind bars for the top count. The six cops, who’ve been suspended since Gray’s death, are expected to get arraigned Friday afternoon.
Mosby, who at 35 is the youngest top prosecutor of a major city, said the accusations “are not an indictment on the entire force.”
She said they were the result of a thorough investigation by the police integrity unit, investigators and evidence collected by police and the medical examiner.
And she called on street protesters to avoid the violence and riots that erupted earlier this week.
“I heard your calls of ‘no justice, no peace,’” Mosby said. “Your peace is sincerely needed as we seek to deliver justice for this young man.”
The rallies responding to the police custody death still show no sign of stopping, with Trayvon Martin’s mom arriving Friday for a 3 p.m. rally led by a prominent local pastor.
Freddie Gray, seen here in an image taken by his fiancé Jamiea Speller in the summer 2013, died on April 19th while in police custody in Baltimore.
After Monday’s destructive demonstrations — which led to buildings and cars being burned and at least 20 police officers getting injured — each night has seen increasingly peaceful protests, save for a brief flare-up between protesters and police Tuesday night.
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Employees at the CVS that infamously burned down at the start of the riots have been working at other locations and even those who don’t are getting compensation, the company said.
“Given the extraordinary circumstances this week, we are paying our Baltimore employees for their regularly scheduled hours,” said spokesmoman Erin Britt.
On Thursday night, the streets were quiet and calm by curfew time, with reporters on the streets appearing to outnumber protesters. New York Knicks player Carmelo Anthony, a Baltimore native, walked with protesters Thursday and urged his hometown to “rebuild.” Some police officers were seen hugging protesters.