Baltimore police officers charged

JUSTICE: SECOND-DEGREE MURDER ON THE RAP SHEET

African-American Freddie Gray died from spinal injuries when in custody.

Baltimore

Six Baltimore police officers were charged yesterday over the death of a 25-year-old A f r ican- Amer ican from injuries sustained while in custody, in a surprise announcement after days of riots and protests in the US city.

The charges – ranging from second-degree murder and manslaughter to misconduct – were set out by Maryland state prosecutor Marilyn Mosby.

Baltimore mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said five of the six had been taken into custody.

“The findings of our comprehensive, thorough and independent investigation, coupled with the medical examiner’s determination that Mr [Freddie] Gray’s death was a homicide ... have led us to believe we have probable cause to fi le criminal charges,” Mosby said.

Cheers broke out when Mosby unveiled the charges on the steps of Baltimore’s war memorial, across the street from city hall – a focal point of protests demanding justice over Gray’s death.

Many in this East Coast port city of 620 000, about an hour’s drive north of Washington, had expected Mosby only to say that the case was still under investigation, one day after police commissioner Anthony Batts submitted his detectives’ findings to date.

“I didn’t know that a decision would be coming today,” said Congressman Elijah Cummings, whose district includes much of Baltimore.

Cars honked their horns, and youths chanted “Justice for Freddie Gray” as they lifted their fists into the air in a gesture of victory.

Baltimore is still under a state of emergency, with the National Guard alongside police in riot gear on the streets, and an overnight curfew in place.

Gray, who had a record of non-violent drug offenses, died on April 19 from spinal injuries sustained when he was arrested a week earlier at a west Baltimore public housing estate.

Facing the most serious charge of second-degree murder is officer Caesar Goodson, the driver of the van that transported Gray to a police station. –