Compared with some of the other police officers who await trial, Officer Nero’s charges were less serious – and didn’t directly link him to Gray’s death.
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As the verdict was read, Nero dropped his head down and his attorney placed a hand on his back.
Much of the trial was determining Nero’s exact role in the death of Freddie Gray.
The case against William Porter, the first officer to go on trial, ended in a mistrial in December after jurors couldn’t agree on a verdict.
During the week-long trial, defense lawyers cast Nero as young and inexperienced and included testimony from a fellow officer who said Nero’s contact with Gray was limited, the Baltimore Sun reported. His case is set for June 6.
Gray’s neck was broken during the transport while he was handcuffed and shackled.
His death caused days of massive protests and unrest in Baltimore.
Officer Edward Nero, center, one of six Baltimore city police officers charged in connection to the death of Freddie Gray, arrives at a courthouse to receive a verdict in his trial in Baltimore.
The judge rejected the prosecution argument that there was recklessness or negligence on Nero’s part.
Michael Schatzow, chief deputy state’s attorney, later told the judge that “not every arrest that occurs without probable cause is a crime”. The assault charge carries a maximum of 10 years in prison and the other charges carry five-year maximums. He will remain in an administrative capacity while this investigation continues.
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake also re-iterated that Nero remains under internal review. She asked residents to “be patient and to allow the entire process to come to a conclusion”.
A statement from the president of Baltimore City’s Fraternal Order Order of Police said the acquittal meant the officer’s “nightmare is nearing an end”, but he took direct aim at Mosby’s handling of the case. “We will protect our neighborhoods, our businesses and the people of our city”.
Zayon says the state rushed to charge Nero.
A second officer was tried in the death of Freddie Gray, the Baltimore man whose death in police custody sparked riots last Spring. Rice called for backup, and Miller and Nero responded. Nero’s attorney says the officer wasn’t directly involved in Gray’s arrest, adding it’s the driver’s responsibility to ensure a prisoner’s safety.
Gray died in April 2015 from injuries he suffered after his arrest in the back of a police van.
Nero was the second of six officers to stand trial in the case.
Prosecutors changed their stance, saying the knife was irrelevant because Miller and Nero arrested Gray before they found the knife.
Baltimore City Councilman Brandon Scott said Monday’s verdict didn’t surprise – or particularly trouble – him.
When I discussed this case last week I predicted that this was going to be the likely outcome. “He was very careful to make no judgment about the other officers”, Murphy said.
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Prosecutors said the officers should never have arrested Gray without first patting him down to determine whether he was armed.
