Baltimore Police Officer Found Not Guilty in the 'Rough Ride' Death of Freddie Gray
A second officer was tried in the death of Freddie Gray, the Baltimore man whose death in police custody sparked riots last Spring.
Officer Edward Nero (30) had been charged with second-degree assault (four misdemeanor charges), reckless endangerment and two counts of misconduct in office. He was one of six Baltimore police officers suspended from the force after Gray's death.
At the end of the five day trial by judge rather than jury, "Baltimore Circuit Judge Barry Williams on Monday acquitted Officer Edward Nero of all counts for his role in the arrest and death of Freddie Gray," the Baltimore Sun reported.Â
Much of the trial was determining Nero's exact role in the death of Freddie Gray.Â
According to The Baltimore Sun, "Prosecutors had argued that Nero committed an assault by detaining Gray without justification, while the reckless endangerment charge related to Nero's role in putting Gray into an arrest wagon without buckling a seat belt. In closing arguments Thursday, Williams had skeptically questioned prosecutors about their theory of assault, which legal experts said was unprecedented. Nero leaned forward after the verdict was read, and wiped his eyes. He hugged his attorneys."
Outside the courthouse, protesters awaited the verdict.Â
