Justice for Freddie Gray’s death in Baltimore might be on the horizon— as the six officers charged with his passing are heading to court on Wednesday (Sep 2). The hearing comes after five months of Gray’s death, which followed his arrest on Apr. 12 where he was transported in a van and died in police custody and suffered major spinal injuries. The 25-year-old later succumbed to his injuries and died on Apr. 19.
READ: Freddie Gray: Everything You Should Know About His Arrest And Death
“Mr. Gray suffered a severe and critical neck injury as a result of being handcuffed, shackled by his feet and unrestrained inside of the (Baltimore Police Department) wagon,” said Maryland’s State Attorney for the city of Baltimore, Marilyn Mosby as she announced the charges. The six officials are facing charges stemming from involuntary manslaughter to false imprisonment. All have pleaded not guilty, according to CNN.
However, like in all legal disputes, things could get far more complex. Thus, as the officer’s attorneys have asked Mosby to drop the charges; they allege that Mosby requested police crackdowns to take place in the area where Gray was arrested.
The trial is being called the “Freddie Gray Six,” and will start in October. But today (Sept. 2), the officer’s legal representatives are seeking a ruling on the pretrial motions they have filed. (Pretrial motions go after the preliminary hearing, and before a criminal case goes to trial. Essentially, it’s for the defense team and prosecutor to come up with arguments that certain testimonies and evidence should be kept in or out of the trial).
READ: Freddie Gray’s Death Ruled A Homicide, All Six Officers Involve Have Been Charged
It’s stipulated that a couple of things can happen after the hearing takes place, which include: The cases’ dismissal for prosecutorial misconduct, the decision of whether or not the officers will be tried together or separately, and the recuse of Mosby’s office in the case due to a possible conflict of interest.
Here is a list of the officers being charged in the case, and what they are being accused of:
Sgt. Alicia D. White: one count of involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault and misconduct in office.
Lt. Brian W. Rice: one count of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of misconduct and one count of false imprisonment.
Officer William G Porter: one count of involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault and misconduct in office.
Officer Edward M. Nero: two counts of degree assault and misconduct in office. And one count of false imprisonment.
Officer Cesar R. Goodson Jr. : one count of second-degree depraved-heart murder, manslaughter by vehicle (criminal negligence and gross negligence), misconduct in office, involuntary manslaughter, and second-degree assault.
Officer Garrett Miller: two counts of second degree assault, one count of false imprisonment and two counts of misconduct in office.
Amid the hearing, activist and protesters planned a protest at the Baltimore’s City Circuit Court’s east courthouse, located in back of City Hall. Reportedly, about an hour before the hearing, people gathered outside with signs shouting for Freddie Gray’s justice.
First sign of demonstrators at courthouse for first hearing of 6 officers accused in #FreddieGray death pic.twitter.com/nDRffyBwby
— Miguel Marquez (@miguelmarquez) September 2, 2015
Size of protest growing.. Shouting No Justice No Peace #FreddieGraypic.twitter.com/0SZaRSQBpG
— KnightfromABC2 (@Knightfromabc2) September 2, 2015
Let’s hope justice is served. What do you think of the “Freddie Gray Six” trial? Sound-off below. Further details for this case are still pending.