A judge delivered a not guilty verdict in the trial of a Baltimore, Maryland police officer for crimes related to the death of arrestee Freddie Gray last year. Gray’s death triggered demonstrations and riots in the majority-black city.
The verdict was delivered on Monday morning by Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Barry Williams.
Prosecutors had charged Officer Edward Nero, 30, with second-degree intentional assault, reckless endangerment and two counts of officer misconduct over the April 2015 incident. Prosecutors argued that Gray was arrested without justification, and that the spinal injuries that led to his death resulted from him being not secured in the transport van.
Nero faced a maximum prison sentence of 10 years in prison for the assault charged and five years for the reckless endangerment charge.
Nero opted for a bench trial, meaning that Williams determined his fate instead of a jury. He is the second officer to be tried for Gray’s death.
Gray’s death resulted in mass protests in Baltimore last year, which culminated in a state of emergency being declared and the Maryland National Guard being activated to keep the peace.
The weeklong trial centered on the events that led up to Gray’s fatal van ride, with Nero’s attorney arguing that his client didn’t arrest or even touch Gray except to find an asthma inhaler, and that it was the van driver’s responsibility to make sure the detainee was safely buckled in.
Protestors asking for the officer’s conviction could be seen outside the courthouse ahead of the verdict.
Nero is the second of six officers facing charges related to Gray’s death to stand trial. The first trial, which was held for Officer William Porter, ended with a hung jury in December.
Of course. Cops are never guilty of murder, because it’s the judges who need their protection.
Hammer , meet Nail
Let the riots commence.
Unfortunately, if there’s a violent reaction to this injustice, it will almost certainly take the form of random destruction and looting, with perhaps a few assaults against random people here and there. It probably won’t be revenge against those who actually deserve retribution.
“Suicide by cop” these days is way easier than one would think. If you have a “death wish”, dial 911, your chances are pretty good.
“Nero opted for a bench trial, meaning that Williams determined his fate instead of a jury. He is the second officer to be tried for Gray’s death.”
Which means the entire trial is completely fake. Might as well be watching Judge Judy.