Despite 3rd acquittal, Baltimore prosecutors push on

The prosecution did not show Rice acted in a “grossly negligent manner”, required of manslaughter, he said.

Of the six officers charged, Goodson faced the most serious charges, including second-degree depraved-heart murder. The trial lasted less than two weeks. “The failure to seat belt is the basis of the crime”, said prosecutor Michael Schatzow during the trial, compared the act to “handing someone a loaded gun”.

Baltimore’s police union called on prosecutors to drop the charges against three officers still awaiting trial in the case. Here’s who they are.

“There are a number of possibilities this court could entertain, some that are innocent and some that are not”, Williams said.

In Baltimore today comes another acquittal of an officer involved in the arrest of Freddie Gray. He died a week later. Gray died a week after his injuries associated with not being provided with a seat belt.

Since the outbreak of mass protest over police violence the Obama administration has feigned support for the victims of police violence while at the same time fully backing the military-style police quashing of protests in Ferguson, Missouri and Baltimore.

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State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby announced charges against the officers in a nationally televised news conference, saying she would seek justice for the city’s young people. She has been present for previous verdicts. Only a handful of protesters had gathered outside the downtown courthouse and there were no police reports of unrest. Williams previously acquitted Officers Edward Nero and Caesar Goodson Jr., both of whom were in court on Monday. Three of these officers have been acquitted, three remain to be tried-one being a retrial.

Even Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, chimed in. “It’s a waste of time and money”, Hogan said. “The prosecution in the next three cases should strongly make a suggestion in court – on the record – that these cases have not been proven and will not be proven and therefore they should be dismissed”.

Nero, who was found not guilty, and Officer William Porter, whose trial ended in a hung jury in December, were called to the stand to testify.

Defence lawyer Warren Alperstein, who was observing the trial, said he was “not surprised by the verdict whatsoever”.

“The judge has said over and over and over again [that the evidence] falls short of convincing him beyond a reasonable doubt” that the officers are criminally culpable, Brown said”.

The verdict comes amid a surge of Black Lives Matter protests in several cities across the country in the wake of the police killings of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Philando Castile in Falcon Heights, Minnesota.

Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake asked the community to continue to respect the judicial process during “a very hard time for our city”.

Tawanda Jones, West’s sister, stood by West’s mother, Diane Butler, and other family members.

“Until we change these laws in place to keep these killer cops off the streets, it’s going to continuously happen”, Jones said.

The focus of the case was on whether or not Rice should have put a seat belt on Gray when he placed him in the back of the transport vehicle. He elected a bench trial, and Circuit Judge Barry Williams decided his fate instead of a jury. Gray was allegedly originally arrested for possessing an illegal switchblade.

The officer’s attorney said police could use discretion, if they believe their safety is at risk. The lieutenant was the highest-ranking of the accused officers, and his full acquittal was the third consecutive loss for prosecutors.

But defense lawyers said Rice was allowed leeway on how to secure a prisoner. “Because of the decisions that Lt. Rice made, Freddie Gray is dead”.