The medical examiner who performed Freddie Gray’s autopsy testified Friday that she is convinced the young man’s death from a neck injury he suffered in a police van was “not an accident”.
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Officer Caesar Goodson faces second-degree murder, manslaughter, assault, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment charges stemming from the death of Freddie Gray.
Prosecutors contend Goodson took the unbelted Gray on a “rough ride” – which was described as punitive measure police used against unruly subjects.
His defense attorney countered that the prosecution will not be able to prove its case and noted that the Medical Examiner initially ruled Gray’s death a “freakish” accident. Awaiting trial on assault, Ross remained in handcuffs while testifying, and said he saw Officer Goodson close the van door after Gray was loaded into the van.
The trial is being closely watched, not just because Goodson is considered the most culpable of the officers but because prosecutors have yet to secure a conviction in the death that convulsed the city and led to the calling out of the National Guard.
Allan said she based her opinion on her autopsy of Gray, interviews with witnesses and an examination of the van where she said Gray was placed face-down on the floor with feet shackled and his hand tied behind his back.
Officer Caesar Goodson’s trial in the death of Freddie Gray began Thursday.
Video of Gray wailing and dragging his legs during his arrest sparked cries of police brutality last April, but prosecutors are not alleging that Gray was injured in any way during his arrest.
Yesterday it was the prosecutor, today it was a defense attorney who was criticized in open court by Judge Barry Williams. Williams said Chief Deputy State’s Attorney Michael Schatzow has until Monday to turn over any other exculpatory materials or “there will be sanctions”.
Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby, leaves the courthouse in Baltimore after a lunch break during the trial of Officer Caesar Goodson Jr., charged in connection to the death of Freddie Gray, Thursday, June 9, 2016, in Baltimore.
DALLAS (AP) – A police officer shot and wounded a man Friday outside a Dallas airport after the man attacked a woman believed to be the mother of his children and then threatened the officer with a large rock, police said.
In December, a mistrial was declared in the case of William Porter, the first officer to go on trial in the in connection with Gray’s arrest and death.
As for Goodson’s case, he has waived his right to a jury trial, and a judge will be deciding his fate.
Williams said dismissing the charges or disqualifying prosecutors Michael Schatzow and Janice Bledsoe would be “draconian”. The judge acquitted the second officer last month.
Several officers were involved in loading Gray into the van, but Goodson was not among them.
It’s not the first time prosecutors have altered their theories in the case. His decision that Nero acted as “any reasonable officer” would have indicates that one of the major claims of the prosecution – that the officers caused Gray’s injuries by not buckling him in – will not stand up to scrutiny. He told Schatzow he would hold him “personally accountable” for anything found in their weekend review of evidence, and said Schatzow and the state’s attorney’s office could face sanctions.
Graham said that Goodson’s supervisors never directed him to seek medical attention for Gray, and that the man wasn’t exhibiting any symptoms of distress.
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He said Gray’s injuries were self-inflicted when he stood up inside a moving vehicle and that officers “virtually never” belt prisoners in.
