Maryland – Officer acquitted in Gray case; prosecutor faces criticism

Baltimore’s top prosecutor is facing criticism that she was too hasty in filing charges against the six officers involved in the case of Freddie Gray, the 25-year-old man whose arrest and subsequent death triggered riots in Baltimore one year ago. Baltimore Circuit Judge Barry Williams who was overseeing the cases said the state failed to prove its case, and the most recent officer on trial, Edward Nero, was acquitted of all charges brought against him. Nero was the second officer to go on trial for Gray’s death, with Officer William Porter’s trial ending in a mistrial with a deadlocked jury in December. After Nero’s acquittal, his lawyers said State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby rushed to charge the officers. The trial of the officer who prosecutors feel is the most culpable, Caesar Goodson, is set to being in two weeks. He is charge with second-degree murder.