Posted on 06/23/2016 9:29:01 AM PDT by reaganaut1
BALTIMORE — The Baltimore police officer who drove the van in which Freddie Gray sustained a fatal spinal injury was acquitted on Thursday of second-degree murder and six lesser charges, leaving prosecutors still without a conviction after three high-profile trials in a case that has shaken this city.
In his ruling, Judge Barry G. Williams rejected the prosecution’s claim that the officer, Caesar R. Goodson Jr., had given Mr. Gray a “rough ride” in the van, intentionally putting him at risk for an injury by taking a wide turn while Mr. Gray was not secured with a seatbelt.
“The court finds there is insufficient evidence that the defendant gave or intended to give Mr. Gray a rough ride,” Judge Williams, said, adding that there had not been “evidence presented at this trial that the defendant intended for any crime to happen.”
Office Goodson sat very quietly watching the judge as the verdict was read. Afterward, he hugged his family and some of the other officers charged in the case.
The death of Mr. Gray, a 25-year-old black man, in April of last year spurred days of violent protests that prompted the governor to call in the National Guard and put the city at the center of a wrenching national debate over race and policing. The state’s attorney, Marilyn J. Mosby, stood on the steps of the city’s War Memorial and told residents that she would “deliver justice” on their behalf. Ms. Mosby then took the unusual step of charging six officers in Mr. Gray’s fatal arrest and death, reserving the steepest charge — second-degree “depraved heart” murder — for Officer Goodson, who is also black.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Her anger is likely based on her understanding that if it weren’t for affirmative-action/equal-opportunity, she’d be a bathroom attendant...at best. What an incompetent boob.
In a perfect world, the family of Freddie Gray would file a whopping lawsuit against Marilyn Mosby for falsely claiming that she was going to “deliver justice” when the only thing she has delivered has been acquittals.
That would be more fun than letting a mouse loose inside a burlesque show.
Good for Judge Williams! His sanity trumps Marilyn Mosby’s idiotic ambitions.
The dam case should never have made it passed the Grand Jury proceeding. Given that, the trial jury would likely have hung this poor guy.
#evidencematters
I hate litigation like ebola, but in this case these officers need to turn the legal tables on the state and apply vice grips to their soft parts until they pass out from the pain.
Sorry to say but acquittals at this level do NOT MEAN these officers can breath easy. As in so many other cases where there is much publicity, the DoJ can bring criminal charges without causing double jeopardy.
Incompetence Affirmitave Action (diversity) state attorney, no merit involved..
Heaven help us when the affirmative action crowd is in charge of building roads, bridges and etc.
The only justice that needs to happen concerns the mayor and AG being forced to resign.
Bump!
Didn't they already get 6+ million from the city and some other money from an earlier claim of injury?
Prosecution lost every case it brought forward.
Carolyn Mosby couldn’t prove a crime was committed.
Her office will face yet another well-deserved lawsuit.
DOJ can bring federal charges but its unlikely.
If the state couldn’t meet the burden of proof, its unlikely the Feds will be able to do so.
There’s no evidence any officer intentionally murdered or caused the death of Freddie Gray.
“Didn’t they already get 6+ million from the city and some other money from an earlier claim of injury? “
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Yes,and that was a disgrace.
It’s a admission of guilt thereby tainting the 6 trials that had not yet taken place.
.
Boston College Law school must be so proud of their graduate.
Dey gonna be some late night shoppin fo some free stuff.
Why have I never read precisely what they did to him besides rail cuffing him in the van
Sounds like he killed himself aggravating an existing spinal injury
One of the acquitted police officers has already filed a multi million dollar civil lawsuit against the city of Baltimore for defamation. This newly acquitted officer’s attorney indicated they would also be doing the same. Bottom line when all six officers are acquitted sleazy incompetent prosecutor Mosby will be the responsible for 6 civil lawsuits. Obviously the City of Baltimore paid 6 million to Grey’s family early in the game even before the criminal cases were tried solely for political purposes.The irony is that the city may end up paying civil awards to both the “victim” and those whom they claim to be the “perpetrators”.
Marylin Mosby and Stephanie Rawlings-Blake are deeply saddened.
Maryland “Freak State” PING!
Yeah, and the next thing you know we'll be electing some incompetent, affirmative action, merit less boob president.
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