Baltimore Police officer, Edward Nero, was charged with second degree assault, reckless endangerment and two counts of misconduct in the Freddie Gray case. As of Monday, he is a free man.
On April 12, 2015 Freddie Gray died from a spinal injuries sustained while he was in police custody. There are videos of the incident that show Gray being put into a van obviously injured, but according to Baltimore Circuit Judge Barry Williams, it didn’t show enough to convict Nero.
Back in 2015, the city of Baltimore immediately reacted to the tragedy; some by peacefully protesting and others by rioting. It heightened the backlash from the ongoing issue of police being justified in the killings of other unarmed Black residents, and not being convicted or charged.
Following the acquittal on Monday, the people of Baltimore were once again enraged.
Judge Williams said there were “no credible facts” to show that Officer Edward Nero was involved in Gray’s arrest.
Edward Nero was one of six officers, charged in Gray’s death, and the second to stand trial. CNN reports that Officer Caesar Goodson Jr., the van driver, is up next.He will begin to stand trial on June 6.
