Watch a CNN special report Police Under Fire at 9 p.m. ET/PT Monday.
Baltimore (CNN)After a day of jubilation following charges against six Baltimore police officers in the death of Freddie Gray protesters cleared the streets early Saturday to observe a curfew.
A few protesters scuffled with police after 10 p.m. when the curfew went into effect.
Authorities used a megaphone from a helicopter to warn protesters to go home or get arrested. Police detained 53 people late Friday including 15 who violated curfew.
By midnight the streets were deserted as a hush washed over a far cry from the boisterous honking weeping and cheers earlier when the city's top prosecutor announced charges.
Six officers to face chargesSix police officers will face charges in the death of Gray Baltimore City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby said Friday describing what she believes happened April 12 when Gray was arrested.
The 25 year old died after suffering a severe and critical neck injury while being transported handcuffed shackled by his feet and unrestrained inside a police van she said. It is against police policy to transport a prisoner without proper restraints such as a seat belt.
Police union 'frustrated'The police union called for an independent prosecutor saying Mosby has conflicts of interests. They also criticized her for not waiting until police were done with their inquiry.
Let me begin by stating how appalled and frustrated we are at this morning's events. .... We are disappointed in the apparent rush to judgment given the fact that the investigation into this matter has not been concluded said Gene Ryan president of the police union. Our officers like every other American are entitled to due process.
The Baltimore Fraternal Order of Police said the officers did nothing wrong.
No officer injured Mr. Gray caused harm to Mr. Gray and they are truly saddened by his death said Michael Davey an attorney for the union.
The accusedThe officers face various charges that could lead to decades in prison.
Officer Caesar R. Goodson Jr. 45 faces one count of second degree depraved heart murder involuntary manslaughter second degree assault manslaughter by vehicle (gross negligence) manslaughter by vehicle (criminal negligence) and misconduct in office.
Lt. Brian W. Rice 41 faces one count of involuntary manslaughter two counts of second degree assault two counts of misconduct in office and one count of false imprisonment.
Sgt. Alicia D. White 30 faces one count of involuntary manslaughter second degree assault and misconduct in office.
Officer William G. Porter 25 faces one count of involuntary manslaughter second degree assault and misconduct in office.
Officer Garrett E. Miller 26 faces two counts of second degree assault two counts of misconduct in office and one count of false imprisonment.
Officer Edward M. Nero 29 faces two counts of second degree assault two counts of misconduct in office and one count of false imprisonment.
Second degree depraved heart murder is punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
Gray's relatives said they are satisfied with the charges announced.
These charges are an important step in getting justice for Freddie said his stepfather Richard Shipley.
Out on bailCourt records show the officers have paid bail. Bail for Goodson White Porter and Rice had been set at $350 000 each. Nero and Miller each had a bail of $250 000.
The six have a preliminary hearing on May 27.
Officers' actions that led to charges
MUST WATCHMayor Stephanie Rawlings Blake called for the immediate suspension of all the officers facing charges.
Read the charges and maximum possible sentences
'Grossly negligent'Police officers arrested Gray on April 12. He slipped into a coma after suffering a series of injuries and died a week later.
Mosby said the incident began when two police officers on bike patrol made eye contact with Gray who then ran.
When officers caught up to him he surrendered and was placed on the ground arms handcuffed behind his back. He said he couldn't breathe and asked for an inhaler but he did not get it according to Mosby.
Although police found a knife in Gray's pants it was a variety allowed by Maryland law and police had no reason to detain him the prosecutor said.
Still they called for a police transport van and loaded Gray in handcuffs into the van. They did not put a seat belt on him Mosby said.
Van stopsGoodson stopped the vehicle four times over the course of the approximately 40 minute ride to the police station. At the first stop officers took Gray out put shackles on his ankles and placed him still handcuffed headfirst and on his stomach in the back.
At the last stop Goodson picked up another man who was put in the back of the van on the other side of the partition that keeps prisoners separated.
Mosby said the officers were grossly negligent for failing to get Gray medical help despite his requests until arrival at the Western District Police Station.
By then he was no longer breathing she said.
Gray was rushed to a hospital where he underwent surgery.
He died a week later.
Complete coverage
CNN's Joe Sutton Monte Plott Evan Perez Don Lemon and Anderson Cooper contributed to this report.
No comments:
Post a Comment