Van Driver In Freddie Gray Case Begins Defense Of His Position On Baltimore Police Force
BALTIMORE (WJZ) — A dramatic interview video was played on day four of the disciplinary trial where Officer Caesar Goodson faces the possibility of being fired for his role in Freddie Gray's arrest.
He drove the van where Gray suffered deadly injuries.
In the video, the only other prisoner inside the van describes the minutes before officers found Gray's limp body.
WJZ's Kimberly Eiten reports that detainee told his interviewers in the tape -- recorded on the afternoon April 12, 2015 -- that he heard Gray banging his head against the van before he was found unresponsive.
"He was banging his head against the metal like he was trying to knock himself out or something," he said in the tape.
Goodson was acquitted of criminal charges, but now faces firing.
Thursday was day four of the administrative trial, and doth sides pointed to police policies and procedures.
Higher ups in the police force testified that policy changed on if and how officers secured prisoners just three days before Gray's arrest.
The newer policy mandates that officers seat belt prisoners. Previously, it was at an officer's discretion.
The problem is that witnesses say the new policy was never read at roll call before Gray's death.
On Thursday morning, the trial also heard from a police lieutenant who helps write policy for the department. He said, yes officers are expected to general orders but they can deviate if they can prove a common sense reason for doing so.
Two-and-a-half years after Gray's death, the Baltimore Police Department is still working to overhaul its policies and procedures.
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