You're missing the point. No one is "defending" Freddie Gray (heck, what is there even to defend him against? It's not like the officers have claimed that he was resisting arrest or anything like that). I and others are simply saying that the police officers here should be held accountable--as any of us would be held accountable--for engaging in a course of conduct that ultimately resulted in a man's death.
As the same as what I have said that is why I would rather have an independent investigation away form Baltimore.
Well put.
Of course, there is the little matter of engaging in said course of action under color of law, too.