On Monday, a Baltimore judge acquitted Lt. Brian Rice of involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office, according to Newsy’s partners at WMAR. The trial lasted less than two weeks. Williams previously handed down acquittals for officers Caesar Goodson and Edward Nero.
Advertisement
That shooting, by a black former Marine who had served in Iraq, took place in a city scarred by racial tensions and protests after the July 5 death of Alton Sterling, a black man shot at point-blank range by two white Baton Rouge police officers.
Earlier this month, the judge granted a defense motion to throw out one of the charges against Rice, saying the state failed to show he committed assault.
Sen. Catherine Pugh, the Democratic nominee for mayor, also released a statement, reminding residents to “exercise patience and respect for the judicial process”. “To the people of Baltimore and the demonstrators across America: I heard your call for, ‘No justice, no peace”, said Mosby. A mistrial was declared in the case of a fourth officer after jurors couldn’t reach a verdict.
Rice has been fourth officer charged in the death of Gray last April. Gray was allegedly originally arrested for possessing an illegal switchblade.
The deaths sparked yet more outrage and protests in many cities across the US. Rice, like two of the others facing charges, chose a bench trial.
On July 12, 2013 George Zimmerman was found not guilty of second-degree murder in the killing of unarmed Trayvon Martin.
The prosecution claims that Gray’s fatal injury was caused by a “rough ride” when the officers deliberately left Gray unrestrained by a seatbelt and then drove in such a way to cause him to be tossed around in the back of the van. Gray died a week after his injuries associated with not being provided with a seat belt.
The verdict could renew calls from police union leaders to drop charges against the remaining officers.
Prosecutors argued that Lt. Rice, as the highest-ranking officer at the scene, should have at least directed a subordinate officer to secure Gray with a seat belt.
But defence lawyers said Rice made a reasonable split-second decision while Gray was being combative and a hostile crowd looked on, they said. “The simple fact he didn’t do it means he’s guilty of these crimes?” he asked. “Every prosecutor has an individual obligation”, the law professor said. He then acquitted Lt. Rice on all charges and issued a gag order binding both the prosecution and defense from discussing the case. Another officer’s case ended in a hung jury and the officer is scheduled to be retried. And again. And again.
Advertisement
Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. said he told his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, that China’s condition “was not consistent with our constitution and our national interest”, adding Wang warned that if the Philippines insists on China’s compliance to the decision, “we might be headed for a confrontation”.
