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Freddie Gray

6 officers charged in Freddie Gray's death

Marisol Bello, and Yamiche Alcindor
USA TODAY
Marilyn Mosby, Baltimore state's attorney, speaks during a press conference where she announced criminal charges against all six officers suspended after Freddie Gray suffered a fatal spinal injury while in police custody.

BALTIMORE — While jubilation appeared to be the mood in Baltimore's streets on Friday after an announcement that charges would be filed against six city officers in the death of Freddie Gray, tensions still flared after the 10 p.m. curfew started Friday night.

Arrests came near City Hall once the curfew launched as law enforcement announced that the only people permitted to be out on the streets would be credentialed members of the media.

According to Baltimore police, there were 38 protest-related arrests and 15 curfew-related arrests Friday night.

The developments came a few hours after representatives for the family of Gray expressed satisfaction at Friday's announcement by State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby that charges would be filed against six city officers she says are responsible for the death of the Baltimore man.

All six officers posted bail and were released Friday night, according to the Baltimore Sun.

But the family representatives also said during a Friday afternoon press conference that they hoped the case served as motivation to reform the way police do their jobs in communities across the country, and they urged members of the public to express themselves peacefully.

"We are satisfied with today's charges," said Richard Shipley, Gray's stepfather. "These charges are an important step in getting justice for Freddie and we ask that whoever comes to our city -- a city that we love, a city that we live in -- come in peace, and if you are not coming in peace, please don't come at all, because this city needs to get back to work."

The office of State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby announced that the officers being charged are: Officer Caesar Goodson Jr. (second-degree murder), Officer William Porter (manslaughter), Lt. Brian Rice (manslaughter), Officer Edward Nero (assault), Officer Garrett Miller (assault) and Sgt. Alicia White (manslaughter).

Earlier Friday, family lawyer William Murphy Jr. said the case must motivate officials to consider body cameras, upgraded training, better oversight and a "new culture of policing."

In the coming days, there will be conversations with police experts, rank and file officers and community leaders to figure out how to promote lasting reforms, Murphy said.

"We must seize this moment," Murphy said. "Let us pray that God will guide us to do His or Her will in the pursuit of justice."

The press conference came just hours after the announcement by State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby that could shape future relations between police and residents in Baltimore.

During her announcement earlier on Friday, Mosby, whose family has five generations of police officers, said the six officers illegally arrested Gray and then failed to get him the medical help he clearly needed after they arrested him.

She charged Caesar Goodson Jr., the officer driving a transport van in which Gray was riding, with the harshest crime: second-degree depraved-heart murder, a charge for an action that is considered to demonstrate a callous disregard for human life. In Maryland, it carries a sentence of up to 30 years.

She charged the other officers with involuntary manslaughter, assault, failure to render aid and misconduct in office.

A loud cheer went up from the crowd on the street in front of the War Memorial Building, where she announced the charges.

"To the youth of this city, I will seek justice on your behalf," she said.

Residents on the streets of the Sandtown neighborhood where police arrested Gray greeted the news with celebration and cautious optimism.

Gray, 25, died April 19, a week after his encounter with the officers, of a mysterious spinal injury suffered while in police custody. His death led to 10 days of protests, some that turned violent Monday after Gray's funeral. Clashes between police and protesters led to the arrests of more than 200 people and injuries to at least 20 police officers.

Mosby outlined the encounter between Gray and the officers, starting from the point when he made contact with an officer on April 12 and ran. She said police illegally arrested Gray, assaulted him and falsely accused him of carrying an illegal weapon when they found a utility knife on him that is legal to carry in Maryland. She said police handcuffed and carried him to the metal portion of the van where he was not strapped in with a seat belt, as per department policy.

The officers did not get Gray help, even though he requested it several times, including once when he said he needed an inhaler because he couldn't breathe, she said.

Five of the officers are in custody, said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. They will be booked and a bail commissioner will determine within 24 hours of their arrest whether to release them on bail or keep them in custody.

Mosby said the charges are not an indictment on the entire force. Mosby said her parents, aunts and uncles were police officers, and her grandfather is a founding member of a black officers organization in Massachusetts.

During the Friday afternoon meeting with reporters, family lawyer Murphy said Gray's relatives learned of Mosby's decision when it was announced on television.

"We were in shock and it was a good shock, you know what I mean?" Murphy said. "...that justice had been approached in a forthright and courageous manner by this prosecutor."

He said the last two weeks have been the most trying days in the lives of Freddie Gray's family members. "Today has given the Gray family a measure of hope," Murphy said.

Earlier Friday, in comments just after the charges were announced, President Obama said, "Justice needs to be served. ... What I think the people of Baltimore want more than anything else is the truth."

Near a burned-out CVS in West Baltimore that has been the epicenter of protests, dozens of people gathered to process the unexpected and what they considered momentous news. Many waved their hands in the air, laughed loudly and gave high fives to each other. Passing cars honked their horns in solidarity as people pumped their fists in the air.

Police stepped up their presence in the neighborhood. Members of the National Guard stood in line wearing fatigues and holding guns. Baltimore police officers, Maryland state troopers and Pennsylvania state troopers, all in riot gear and many carrying shields, stood staring at the unfolding scene.

News of the charges shocked Quinton Carter, 23, of Baltimore, who said he felt justice was finally being served 12 days after Gray died.

"It makes me feel good," a smiling Carter said. "Police officers now see that they will be held accountable for the things they do to us."

Carter, who is black, said for decades police treated young black men, including himself, unfairly and assumed that they are up to no good. Last week, Carter said, he was sitting at a bus stop when an officer pulled a gun on him.

"I fit the description of someone they were looking for, and a lot of that happens around here," Carter said. "It's sad."

Longtime Maryland Rep. Elijah Cummings, a Democrat who has been marching with protesters in recent days, praised Mosby's decision to charge the officers.

"We did witness history," he said Friday afternoon.

The Baltimore police officers union says the six officers charged in the Freddie Gray investigation aren't responsible for his death.

Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 3 President Gene Ryan made the comment Friday in a letter to State's Attorney Mosby before she announced the charges. It was the union's strongest statement to date in the officers' defense.

"As tragic as this situation is, none of the officers involved are responsible for the death of Mr. Gray," Ryan wrote. "To the contrary, at all times, each of the officers diligently balanced their obligations to protect Mr. Gray and discharge their duties to protect the public."

Ryan asked Mosby in the letter to appoint a special independent prosecutor. But after announcing charges Friday, Mosby said she would not turn the case over to a special prosecutor.

The union contracts with an attorney, Michael Davey, who has said that five of the six officers gave voluntary statements on the day of Gray's arrest.

Contributing: The Associated Press

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