Prosecutor charges 6 Baltimore officers in Freddie Gray's death
BALTIMORE -- Saying "no one is above the law," Baltimore's top prosecutor announced criminal charges Friday against all six officers Friday against six officers involved in the arrest of a black man whose neck was broken in police custody, a decision that comes amid outrage around the country over police brutality against African-Americans.
State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby declared that Freddie Gray's death was a homicide, his arrest was illegal, and his treatment in custody amounted to murder and manslaughter. She said even though Gray requested medical help several times, officers repeatedly missed opportunities to get it for him.
"The findings of our comprehensive, thorough and independent investigation, coupled with the medical examiner's determination that Mr. Gray's death was a homicide," Mosby said, "has led us to believe that we have probable cause to file criminal charges."
Onlookers cheered and expressed amazement over Mosby's announcement, which few expected so quickly. The city, which has been on edge and seen looting and a riot after Gray's death on April 19, was still under a nighttime curfew and National Guard troops and police were out in full force.
Whoops, cheers and shouts of "Justice!" erupted on the steps of the War Memorial Building, and in the streets of Baltimore, which has faced nearly two weeks of growing anger over Gray's death. Mosby announced the charges one day after receiving the results of the internal police investigation and the autopsy report. As she spoke, the city braced for huge protests Friday and Saturday.
"Mr. Gray suffered a severe and critical neck injury as a result of being handcuffed, shackled by his feet and unrestrained inside of the BPD wagon," she said.
The stiffest charge -- second-degree "depraved heart" murder -- was filed against the driver of the police van. The other five were charged with crimes including manslaughter, assault, false imprisonment and misconduct in office.
At Friday afternoon news conference, Gray's family said they are "satisfied" with the charges against the six officers, and called it an "important step" in getting justice for him. But also in response to the unrest of earlier several days ago, they called for peace in the streets of Baltimore.
"We ask that whoever comes to our city comes in peace," said Gray's stepfather Richard Shipley. "If you are not coming in peace, please don't come at all. Without justice there is no peace, but let's have peace in the pursuit of justice."
The family's attorney, Billy Murphy, said they found out only when Mosby made the announcement. He expressed confidence in the state prosecutor and does not believe there needs to be a change of venue.
"The first crack at justice should be in the community where these events took place," he said.
Michael Davey, a lawyer for the police union, called the charges an "egregious rush to judgment" and said Gray's death did "not occur as a result of any action or inaction" of the officers.
Fraternal Order of Police local president Gene Ryan told Mosby in a letter before the charges were announced Friday that none of the six suspended officers were responsible for Gray's death.
President Barack Obama said it was "absolutely vital that the truth comes out." He said he doesn't comment on the legal process, "but I can tell you that justice needs to be served."
"Those individuals who are charged obviously are also entitled to due process and rule of law," he said.
Mosby said Gray was illegally arrested and assaulted. He was handcuffed and then hoisted into the metal compartment of a police van without the seatbelt that all officers are told they must put on for safety of both detainees and officers. The van's driver failed to restrain Gray five different times, she said.
John Miller, deputy commissioner of intelligence and counterterrorism for the New York City Police Department, told "CBS This Morning" that says he's not aware of law enforcement officers using "rough rides" in police vans as a practice after an arrest.
The officers later failed to get medical help even though Gray requested it repeatedly, she said. At some point along the way, he suffered a mysterious spinal injury and died a week later.
Mosby said what police described as an illegal switchblade - Officer Garrett E. Miller swore in a court record under penalty of perjury that he found such a knife clipped inside Gray's pants pocket - was actually a legal knife, and provided no justification for Gray's arrest.
She said Gray was assaulted by Miller, Officer William G. Porter, Officer Edward M. Nero, Lt. Brian W. Rice and Sgt. Alicia D. White. Each faces up to 10 years if convicted of second-degree assault.
The van driver, Officer Caesar R. Goodson Jr., faces up to 30 years on the murder charge, and 10 years each for involuntary manslaughter, assault and "manslaughter by vehicle." All of the officers also face a charge of misconduct in office.
The mayor's office confirmed that all six officers have turned themselves in and are inside the Baltimore Central Booking and Intake Center.
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake promised to change the police department's culture.
"To those of you who wish to engage in brutality, misconduct, racism and corruptions, let me be clear. There is no place in the Baltimore City Police Department for you," she said.
Mosby said she comes from five generations of police officers, that she respects and honors how police serve the people, and that this case should in no way damage the relationship between police and prosecutors in Baltimore.
She swiftly rejected a request from the Baltimore police officers union asking her to appoint a special independent prosecutor because of her ties to attorney Billy Murphy, who is representing Gray's family. Murphy was among Mosby's biggest campaign contributors last year, donating the maximum individual amount allowed, $4,000, in June. Murphy also served on Mosby's transition team after the election.
The Gray family still has not been notified of the autopsy results, reports CBS News correspondent Jeff Pegues, who has been told that they are being patient and are "waiting for finality."
Before Gov. Larry Hogan visited a fire station Friday, a man leaning out of a passing truck window pumped both arms in the air and yelled, "Justice! Justice! Justice!" When Hogan arrived, he said he was focusing on keeping Baltimore safe.
"I want to continue to ask for calm and peace," said Hogan, who on Monday declared a state of emergency and called in 2,000 National Guardsmen.
At the corner of Pennsylvania and North avenues, where the worst of the rioting took place on Monday, drivers honked their horns. When buses stopped in front of the subway station, people spilled out cheering as the doors opened.
There was no large gathering at the intersection immediately after the announcement, though: Nearly 100 police in riot gear were deployed, and for the moment, they had nothing to do.
Ciara Ford, of Baltimore, expressed surprise at the decision to prosecute.
"I'm ecstatic," she said. "I hope this can restore some peace."
"It makes you cry," said her friend, Stephanie Owens of Columbia.
They both hoped the officers would be convicted. And both believed that the protests in the city made a difference in ensuring that authorities took the case seriously.
"If we had kept quiet, I don't think they would have prosecuted," Ford said.