Standard News

Hide Advertisement
  • Business
  • Culture
  • News
  • Technology
  • Trending
Site logo
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Baltimore police officer acquitted in Freddie Gray death

By Reuters 3 min read
Advertisement - Continue reading below
Baltimore police officer Edward Nero arrives for his trial in connection with the death of Freddie Gray at a courthouse in Baltimore

By Donna Owens

BALTIMORE (Reuters) – Baltimore police officer Edward Nero was acquitted on Monday of all charges in the 2015 death of black detainee Freddie Gray, the second setback for prosecutors in a case that triggered rioting and fueled the Black Lives Matter movement.

Advertisement

Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Barry Williams, who heard the case in a bench trial, told a packed courtroom that Nero, 30, had acted as any officer would have during Gray’s arrest in April 2015.

Nero is the second officer to be tried, and he faced misdemeanor charges of second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and two counts of misconduct in office. The first trial of an officer in 25-year-old Gray’s death ended in a mistrial.

“Based on the evidence presented, this court finds that the state has not met its burden to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, all required elements of the crimes charged,” Williams said. “Therefore, the verdict for each count is not guilty.”

After the verdict, Nero leaned forward and wiped his eyes. He then hugged his attorneys.

Baltimore was calm after the verdict, with only a handful of protesters. Gray’s death a week after his arrest sparked rioting in which nearly 400 buildings were damaged or destroyed in the majority black city of 620,000 people. The case helped stoke the national debate over policing in minority communities

State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby had charged Nero with arresting Gray without probable cause when he ran from him and other officers unprovoked. She also contended Nero did not secure Gray in a police transport van, where Gray suffered a fatal spinal injury.

Nero’s lawyers had argued that Gray’s arrest was justified and that the officer had little to do with it. Nero’s partner, Garrett Miller, testified that Nero had done little during the arrest and that he, not Nero, had handcuffed and detained Gray.

Nero still faces an internal department investigation.

In a statement, defense attorney Marc Zayon said Nero appreciated Williams’ “reasoned judgment” and called on Mosby to dismiss charges against the five other officers accused in the case.

Protesters chased a group of Nero’s relatives into a parking garage and yelled, “No justice, no peace.”

Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake issued a statement urging calm. In Gray’s impoverished neighborhood in West Baltimore, residents said they were angry over the verdict but not surprised.

“In Baltimore and all over the country, nobody pays attention to poor black people unless something goes wrong,” said William Griffith, a 65-year-old printer.

STRATEGY QUESTIONS IN FUTURE TRIALS

Tim Maloney, a Maryland lawyer who has handled police misconduct cases but was not involved in this trial, said Nero’s acquittal raised questions for the prosecution about the remaining five trials, including whether to have police officers testify against each other.

He said prosecutors might decide to drop or alter charges. Officers also might opt for bench trials, seen as more favorable for police than jury trials, he said.

“This is a time for introspection for the state, although we haven’t seen much of that so far,” Maloney said.

The next officer on trial is Caesar Goodson Jr, the van driver. His trial starts on June 6 and charges include second-degree murder.

(Additional reporting by Marcus Howard and Amy Tennery in New York; Writing by Ian Simpson in Washington; Editing by Bill Trott and Cynthia Osterman)

tagreuters.com2016binary_LYNXNPEC4M1MJ-VIEWIMAGE

tagreuters.com2016binary_LYNXNPEC4M0OA-VIEWIMAGE

tagreuters.com2016binary_LYNXNPEC4M1MK-VIEWIMAGE

Advertisement - Continue reading below

Mendoza spotlights Manila family’s poverty in Cannes film ‘Ma Rosa’
Entertainment
Reuters 2 min read

Mendoza spotlights Manila family’s poverty in Cannes film ‘Ma Rosa’

Arrest made in $3 million jewelry theft from rapper Drake’s tour bus
Entertainment
Reuters 2 min read

Arrest made in $3 million jewelry theft from rapper Drake’s tour bus

Washington state begins killing wolf pack for preying on livestock
News
Reuters 2 min read

Washington state begins killing wolf pack for preying on livestock

Mississippi governor to join suit against Obama transgender policy
News
Reuters 2 min read

Mississippi governor to join suit against Obama transgender policy

California lawmakers send governor bill authorizing farmworker overtime
News
Reuters 2 min read

California lawmakers send governor bill authorizing farmworker overtime

Too old to rap, Bow Wow announces retirement at age 29
Entertainment
Reuters 1 min read

Too old to rap, Bow Wow announces retirement at age 29

Judge throws out parts of Bill Cosby’s lawsuit over 2006 settlement
News
Reuters 2 min read

Judge throws out parts of Bill Cosby’s lawsuit over 2006 settlement

Obama to take his family to Carlsbad Caverns, Yosemite next week
News
Reuters 2 min read

Obama to take his family to Carlsbad Caverns, Yosemite next week

Welcome the start of spooky season with Goblins & Giggles at Gaylord Opryland!
Entertainment
Ethan Blake 4 min read

Welcome the start of spooky season with Goblins & Giggles at Gaylord Opryland!

Gun owner trying to break up dispute fatally shot in Texas parking lot
News
Reuters 1 min read

Gun owner trying to break up dispute fatally shot in Texas parking lot

load more Loading posts...

sidebar

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

sidebar-alt

  • About Us
  • Imprint
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • For Advertisers