6 Police Officers Charged, 1 With Murder, in Freddie Gray Death

Gray's death has been ruled a homicide; a prosecutor called his arrest illegal.

Six Baltimore police officers involved in the arrest of Freddie Gray have been charged, one of them with second-degree murder, after his death of a mysterious spinal injury he suffered in police custody touched off a wave of protests nationwide and sparked riots this week in his hometown.

The six officers have posted a bond on Friday evening and five have been released, according to online court records. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said Friday afternoon she has asked the police commissioner to suspend all six.

The charges ranged from second-degree "depraved heart" murder to involuntary manslaughter, misconduct in office, false imprisonment and assault. As State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby read the charges Friday, someone in the small crowd nearby cheered. (Click here for a full list of charges.)

“To the people of Baltimore and the demonstrators across America: I heard your call for no justice, no peace. Your peace is sincerely needed as I work to deliver justice on behalf of this young man," Mosby said Friday.

Gray's death has been ruled a homicide. He died April 19 of a severe and critical neck injury he suffered from being handcuffed, shackled by his feet and unsecured inside a police van during his arrest a week earlier, Mosby said Friday, after getting his autopsy report from the coroner.

Gray's stepfather said the family is satisfied with charges against the police officers.

"These charges are an important step in getting justice for Freddie," Richard Shipley said, speaking on behalf of the Gray family.

Shipley called for peace in Baltimore, saying the last thing that Freddie would want is to see the people of Baltimore lose their jobs and businesses because of his death.

"We ask that whomever come to our city, a city that we love, a city that we live in, come in peace," Shipley said.

Officer Caesar Goodson Jr., 45, was charged with second-degree depraved-heart murder in Gray's death, as well as manslaughter and other charges.

Three other officers — Officer William Porter, Lt. Brian Rice and Sgt. Alicia White — were charged with involuntary manslaughter, and the other two — Officer Garrett Miller and Officer Edward Nero — were charged with second-degree intentional assault.

Bail for Goodson, White, Porter and Rice had been set at $350,000 each. Nero and Miller each had a bail of $250,000, court records said. Five of the offiers have been released. White, hasn't been released. Their peliminary hearing is scheduled for May 27.

Gray was "illegally arrested," Mosby said. She said police had failed to establish probable cause for his arrest, and the knife he had when arrested was legal and was not a switchblade.

Baltimore court records showed Friday the six police officers charged have had their initial bail review.

Bail was set at $350,000 for three officers and $250,000 for the other three.

The bail proceedings are not open to the public under Maryland law.

The records do not indicate that the officers have yet posted bail.

The Baltimore police officers' union said Mosby has made a rush to judgment by bringing charges against the officers.

Attorney Michael Davey, whose firm was hired by the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 3, said he is representing one of the officers, but is speaking on behalf of all of them.

Davey says he has never seen such a hurried rush to file charges and the officers did nothing wrong.

Until Friday, authorities' refusal to provide more than a few sketchy details about the investigation had fueled suspicion and mistrust as a weekend of protest rallies loomed.

The secrecy may be legally appropriate, but many in Baltimore were finding it hard to be patient Thursday when police revealed next to nothing about the criminal investigation they turned over to the state's attorney's office.

Batts said a 10 p.m. curfew for all residents and a state of emergency declared by Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan would remain in effect through Sunday. The curfew went into effect for the third night Thursday with no major incidents.

"We have two very large marches that are going to take place on the weekend," Batts told a news conference Thursday evening. "We have a lot more that are popping up by the minute."

Protesters were planning large demonstrations in Baltimore and around the country Friday, which is May Day, a date traditionally used to champion labor issues but which has expanded over the years to include such causes as women's and immigrant rights. This year, many planned to add civil rights and the slogan "black and brown lives matter."

List of charges against the Baltimore officers:

Officer Caesar R. Goodson Jr.
1) Second-degree depraved heart murder (Maximum sentence: 30 years)
2) Manslaughter (involuntary) (10 years)
3) Second-degree assault (10 years)
4) Manslaughter by vehicle (gross negligence) (10 years)
5) Manslaughter by vehicle (criminal negligence) (3 years)
6) Misconduct in office

Officer William G. Porter
1) Manslaughter (involuntary) (10 years)
2) Second-degree assault (10 years)
3) Misconduct in office

Lt. Brian W. Rice
1) Manslaughter (involuntary) (10 years)
2) Second-degree assault (10 years)
3) Second-degree assault (10 years)
4) Misconduct in office
5) Misconduct in office
6) False imprisonment

Officer Edward M. Nero
1) Second-degree assault (10 years)
2) Second-degree assault (10 years)
3) Misconduct in office 
4) Misconduct in office 
5) False imprisonment

Officer Garrett E. Miller
1) Second-degree assault (10 years)
2) Second-degree assault (10 years)
3) Misconduct in office
4) Misconduct in office 
5) False imprisonment

Sgt. Alicia D. White
1) Manslaughter (involuntary) (10 years)
2) Second-degree assault (10 years)
3) Misconduct in office
 

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