Serious charges stick in indictments of officers in Freddie Gray case
Grand jury indictments announced on Thursday against six Baltimore police officers mostly mirror the original charges for alleged mistreatment of Freddie Gray, the 25-year-old man who died after suffering a spinal injury in police custody.
The indictments retain the most serious charges, including a charge of second-degree depraved heart murder against van driver Caesar Goodson Jr., who is also charged with manslaughter. Three officers are charged with involuntary manslaughter: Lt. Brian Rice, Sgt. Alicia White and Officer William Porter. The Associated Press, the Baltimore Sun, the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) and the New York Times have stories.
The indictments drop a charge of false imprisonment against the arresting officers, Edward Nero and Garrett Miller, and against Lt. Brian Rice. Police officers had criticized the initial charge, saying it could lead to second guessing by police officers during arrests.
The indictment includes a new charge of reckless endangerment against all of the officers, likely a “kitchen sink” charge that was added as a fallback in case jurors reject more serious charges, according to former prosecutor Page Croyder, who spoke with the Baltimore Sun.
All of the officers are also charged with second-degree assault and misconduct in office.
Related article:
ABAJournal.com: “6 police officers are charged in the death of Freddie Gray”
