The six police officers involved in the arrest of Freddie Gray of Baltimore, Maryland have been charged criminally with offenses including murder, manslaughter, assault, false imprisonment, and misconduct in office.
Freddie Gray was taken into custody by Baltimore Police on April 12, and sustained critical injuries to his spinal cord while in a police van that lead to his death a week later. Following his death, the Baltimore community responded in protests and civil disobedience seeking justice for a man who was unlawfully detained and murdered.
“To the youth of this city,” Maryland State Attorney Marilyn Mosby said in a press conference announcing the charges, “I will seek justice on your behalf. This is a moment, your moment, let’s make sure we have peaceful and productive rallies… as young people our time is now.” The police officer who drove the van faces up to 63 years in prison, and the other officers face up to 30 years.
Mosby announced Friday morning that the death of Freddie Gray had been ruled a homicide following the official release of the medical examiner’s report. “I heard your call for ‘no justice, no peace,'” she said following the announcement of the charges. “Your peace is sincerely needed as I work to deliver justice on behalf of this young man.”
35-year-old Mosby was elected to her post in November 2014. She defeated incumbent Gregg Bernstein in the Democratic primary promising to put an end to police violence in Maryland.
“I applaud the swift action of Marilyn Mosby and the fact that she had promptly conducted an independent investigation,” commented Eleanor Smeal, President of the Feminist Majority Foundation. It’s time long overdue to bring an end to police brutality.” For many years, the FMF and it’s National Center for Women in Policing have worked to reduce police brutality and increase the response to violence.
Media Resources: ABC News 5/1/15; Mix 5/1/15; Baltimore Sun 5/1/15
