Murder charges against Freddie Gray cops may be DROPPED

Daily Mail UK ^ | May 7, 2015 | Ted Thornhill

[COUNTrecount]

Murder charges against Freddie Gray cops may be DROPPED because police findings don't support the case, say officials

Baltimore City State Attorney charged six officers over death of Gray Separate police probe of case says manslaughter is most serious crime Defense lawyers are arguing that arrest for knife possession was legal 'If this case falls apart, will Baltimore burn?' one official asked

The murder charges filed against the Baltimore officers who arrested Freddie Gray could be dropped, because the police investigation into his death doesn't support the prosecution's case, it's been reported.

Last Friday, Baltimore City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby levelled charges ranging from assault to second-degree murder at six police officers involved in Gray's death. He had suffered a fatal spinal injury while in police custody.

However, officials familiar with the case have revealed that police investigators do not agree with the charges. The murder charges filed against the Baltimore officers who arrested Freddie Gray could be dropped

The officials said that the internal probe team do not believe a charge more serious than manslaughter should be brought against any of the officers, according to CNN. RELATED ARTICLES

What's more, defense lawyers are mounting a challenge to Mosby's assertion that the officers had unlawfully arrested Gray because the knife he had in his pocket is considered legal under Maryland state law.

Marc Zayon, the attorney for Edward Nero, one of the officers charged, argued in a motion filed Monday that the knife in Gray's pocket — described in charging documents as 'a spring assisted, one hand operated knife' — is in fact illegal under state law.

[Half Vast Conspiracy]

+1

[MeshugeMikey]

paging Revrunt Sharpton....Revrunt Sharpton.

[RedMDer]

He was pursued because officers observed what appeared to be a drug deal happening. When caught, the knife was discovered and the arrest made.

There is discussion that the knife may be legal in Maryland but illegal in the City of Baltimore where the arrest occurred.

[dennisw]

 

President: Dwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew Herbert Camacho

[ExTxMarine]

Evidence be DAMNED; they are going to try these cops!

I mean, the lack of evidence in the Saint Trayvon Martin case didn’t slow them down!!

[RedMDer]

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[Ancesthntr]

Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!

Or not - because these charges were ONLY politically-motivated, and without any basis in fact or law.

If you want to toast your marshmallows, Baltimore is going to be the place to be very soon. I’m glad that I’m in Texas, where we simply don’t allow our cities to get burned down.

[dennisw]

They need a space to store the non-looted items, mostly suntan lotion and Fathers Day cards.

+1 ... had to think a few seconds on that one

[HerrBlucher]

Hey, she stated herself that her reason for the charges was she heard the call of a lynch mob and responded accordingly.

[basalt]

a judge would dismiss it, not the prosecutor

[circlecity]

"a judge would dismiss it, not the prosecutor"

On what basis? In many states a prosecutor is the only one who can file or dismiss charges. It could be done state allows a preliminary hearing allowing the judge to act as finder of fact in determining whether there is sufficient evidence to go forward then that could stop the case but I don't know whether Md. provides for this or not.

[BenLurkin]

[2ndDivisionVet]

'If this case falls apart, will Baltimore burn?'

Immaterial. Shouldn't even be asked.

[attiladhun2]

She could not have even had time to do a proper legal Memorandum, which is the basis for the criminal information behind an indictment. This was politically driven, and even if a judge and jury corrupt enough to go through with a trial and conviction, an appeals court probably would throw it out.

[Attention Surplus Disorder]

If you’re an atty and you are able to technically answer...(versus a civilian with an opinion)

If a “murder” charge is “downgraded” or the charges are “refiled” as much lower grade homicide charges, does that qualify as “dropping” the [original] charges?

[envisio]

First THUG that riots, shoot him.
Second one, shoot him.
Third one, shoot him.
So on and so forth until the message is clear.

[envisio]

I believe that ship has sailed...

[monocle]

She was merely following the mob.

[vette6387]

“CVS best hold off on their stated plans to rebuild.”

Yeah, someone told me that CVS found only two items remaining in that looted store

Father’s Day Cards and Suntan Lotion!

[circlecity]

"If a “murder” charge is “downgraded” or the charges are “refiled” as much lower grade homicide charges, does that qualify as “dropping” the [original] charges?"

Well, dropping is more a colloquial term than a legal one. I'm not sure what is meant by "downgraded" either. The original charge had to be either dismissed by the prosecutor or ruled against by a Judge (ie. a finding of no probable cause or granting a motion to suppress) before a new "downgraded" charge can be "refiled" by the prosecutor.