The Baltimore police department released mugshots of the six officers charged Friday in the death of Freddie Gray, a 25-year old black man who died after suffering a broken neck following his April 12 arrest.
Three of the officers, including Caesar Goodson Jr., who faces the toughest charges, are black. The other three are white.
Maryland state attorney Marilyn Mosby announced the charges during a surprise press conference Friday morning. She said that the officers arrested Gray without cause. He was found with a pocket knife on his person, but Mosby said it was legal under Maryland law. Mosby also said that officers failed on numerous occasions to restrain Gray with a seat belt and to provide him with medical care even though he asked for it.
A medical examiner’s report ruled Gray’s death a homicide. His neck was broken and he had an injury on the back of his head consistent with hitting it on a bolt from the van.
Officer Caesar Goodson Jr., 45, was the driver of the van that transported Gray. He was charged with second-degree depraved-heart murder, involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault, manslaughter by vehicle and misconduct. He was released after posting $350,000 bail. Goodson stopped several times en route from Gray’s arrest site to central booking. When Gray was found unresponsive there, he was transported to the hospital. He underwent surgery and died on April 19.
Goodson Jr. has been with the Baltimore police department since 1999.
Officer Caesar Goodson Jr.
Lt. Brian Rice, 41, was charged with involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault, misconduct, and false imprisonment. He posted $350,000 bail. According to The Post, he was one of three bike officers and was the first to observe and to begin pursuing Gray. Gray reportedly ran from the officers for no reason. According to The Washington Post, Rice helped load Gray into the back of the police transport van. He also helped put leg shackles on Gray.
He has been with the police force since 1998.
Lt. Brian Rice
Officer William Porter, 25, was charged with involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault and misconduct. He was also released after posting $350,000 bail. According to Mosby, Porter asked Gray whether he needed medical assistance but failed to provide it even though Gray said that he did. He also neglected to restrain Gray with a seat belt.
He has been with the force since 2012.
Officer William Porter
Officer Alicia White, 30, was charged with involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault and misconduct. She was also released on $350,000 bail. Mosby said that White was told that Gray needed assistance but failed to provide it. According to The Post, Mosby said that White “spoke to the back of [Gray’s] head.”
She has been with the Baltimore police department since 2010.
Officer Alicia White
Officer Edward Nero, 29, was charged with second-degree assault, false imprisonment and misconduct. He was released on $250,000 bail. Nero is the officer who handcuffed Gray and kept him on the ground until the police transport van arrived.
He has been with the force since 2012.
Officer Edward Nero
Officer Garrett Miller, 26, was charged with second-degree assault, false imprisonment and misconduct. He was released on $250,000 bail. Miller was on bike patrol along with Rice and Nero during the initial contact with Gray. He helped place Gray in the police van but did not restrain him, Mosby said.
Miller has been on the force since 2012.
Officer Garrett Miller
The Baltimore Fraternal Order of Police immediately criticized Mosby’s decision to charge the officers calling it a “rush to judgement.” Fraternal Order president Gene Ryan also called on Mosby to recuse herself from the case because her husband is a city councilman who represents the area where Gray was arrested and also because she has close political ties with the attorney for Gray’s family. (RELATED: Law Professor: Baltimore Officers Were Overcharged, Charges Will Likely Be Dismissed)
