Baltimore’s top prosecutor on Wednesday dropped remaining charges against police officers tied to the death of black detainee Freddie Gray, after failing four times to secure convictions in a case that inflamed the US debate on race and justice.
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Prosecutors could likely see the writing on the wall, after Circuit Judge Barry G. Williams acquitted the other three officers involved, who were facing similar but more serious charges.
Prosecutors dropped the remaining charges Wednesday against three Baltimore police officers awaiting trial in the death of Freddie Gray, blaming police for a biased investigation that failed to yield any convictions.
At the motion’s hearing for State v Garrett Miller this morning, prosecutors announced they would not pursue the remaining cases related to the arrest and death of Gray, bringing to an end one of the most closely watched police prosecutions in the country.
Lt. Gene Ryan, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 3, described Mosby’s comments as “outrageous and uncalled for and simply untrue”, reported the Baltimore Sun.
Marilyn Mosby spoke so forcefully when she announced the charges against the officers that defense attorneys argued she should recuse herself for bias.
What she did not mention is that Williams faulted Mosby’s team for failing to turn over numerous pieces of evidence that supported the six defendants.
Gray’s death sparked protests in the city, with people in the community believing excessive force or negligence led to his death. Last year, Officer William Porter’s trial ended with a hung jury.
“Even though the media has made this about everything but the untimely death of [Gray], my office has never wavered in our commitment to seek justice on his behalf”, she said. “She should be held accountable”. In addition, she said, the accused officers should not have been given the right to choose between having judge or jury trials.
Police Commissioner Kevin Davis, who took over for former Commissioner Anthony Batts in October, said 30 “ethical, experienced, and talented” detectives worked on the case and a local newspaper reporter was given access to the investigation. After getting apprehended, Gray’s wrists and legs were shackled and he was loaded into a police van without being seat-belted.
Charges against the officers who have yet to be tried in connection with the death of Freddie Gray have been dropped, according to WBAL.
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Officer Edward Nero was found not guilty of all charges in May.
