The Associated Press & #8207;@AP 58 seconds ago
BREAKING: Prosecutors drop remaining charges against officers in Freddie Gray case, bringing end to case without a conviction.
the remaining charges are being dropped, because they were not able to convict on any of the foundational charges. Either the DA office screwed this up badly, or the City Attorney pulled a "Duke Lacrosse" political prosecution act.
There's a difference between not enough evidence for a conviction, and "nonsense" charges.
It's pretty obvious to anyone paying attention what more than likely took place. Fortunately for the accused, there wasn't close to enough evidence to convict.
The whole "beyond a reasonable doubt" thing is pretty important in our legal system.
The startling move was an apparent acknowledgement of the unlikelihood of a conviction following the acquittals of three other officers on similar and more serious charges by Circuit Judge Barry G. Williams, who was expected to preside over the remaining trials as well.
It also means the office of Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby will secure no convictions in the case after more than a year of dogged fighting, against increasingly heavy odds, to hold someone criminally accountable in Gray's death. from the Baltimore Sun - ( New Window )
RE: I hope all six cops sue whoever they can for...
obviously went wrong, but case was overcharged, that was the opinion of most experts. typically, in custody deaths are negligent homicide cases - (e.g., failure to monitor, provide medical care).
obviously went wrong, but case was overcharged, that was the opinion of most experts. typically, in custody deaths are negligent homicide cases - (e.g., failure to monitor, provide medical care).
Right. And even with lesser charges, there was still a lack of evidence.
RE: I'm not willing to say the charges were nonsense.
There's a difference between not enough evidence for a conviction, and "nonsense" charges.
It's pretty obvious to anyone paying attention what more than likely took place. Fortunately for the accused, there wasn't close to enough evidence to convict.
The whole "beyond a reasonable doubt" thing is pretty important in our legal system.
I would say some of the charges were nonsense. I would put in this category the charges against the arresting officers who had no role in the transport. At first the reason for the arrest was questioned but the last information was that it was due to possession of a type of knife which was questionable to be legal.
RE: I hope all six cops sue whoever they can for...
already 3 acquittals and 1 hung jury in trials against the other officers charged for Gray's death. The State obviously does not have enough evidence to get a conviction in the remaining cases. Dropping the charges makes complete sense from a legal standpoint but maybe not from a political/PR perspective.
RE: RE: I'm not willing to say the charges were nonsense.
There's a difference between not enough evidence for a conviction, and "nonsense" charges.
It's pretty obvious to anyone paying attention what more than likely took place. Fortunately for the accused, there wasn't close to enough evidence to convict.
The whole "beyond a reasonable doubt" thing is pretty important in our legal system.
I would say some of the charges were nonsense. I would put in this category the charges against the arresting officers who had no role in the transport. At first the reason for the arrest was questioned but the last information was that it was due to possession of a type of knife which was questionable to be legal.
I think I can agree with that.
RE: I hope all six cops sue whoever they can for...
and what's the legal argument for getting the money back - person arrested for a misdemeanor dies in custody. while not being seat-belted in was not criminal - it was policy which was widely ignored by the rank and file and the supervisors held no one accountable for violating policy.
they have paid out previous million dollar lawsuits for injuries due to prisoner transport. and they never bothered to attempt to put cameras in the transport vans. and there was a sign posted on the van "Hope you enjoy you're ride, w e know we did" which gives credence to the issue of rough rides.
RE: I'm not willing to say the charges were nonsense.
There's a difference between not enough evidence for a conviction, and "nonsense" charges.
It's pretty obvious to anyone paying attention what more than likely took place. Fortunately for the accused, there wasn't close to enough evidence to convict.
The whole "beyond a reasonable doubt" thing is pretty important in our legal system.
Cam - I think I've got these facts right, but I believe that none of the remaining defendants had any connection to the van ride. If correct, and given the outcomes of the previous trials, I'd say the chances for conviction were virtually nil. Beyond that, IMHO, I think all defendants who had no connection with the van ride were egregiously overcharged for probably political purposes. However, I agree with you in that I don't think the charges were nonsense with respect to anyone who was involved with the van ride.
$6.4 million in taxpayer money back from his family?
Why do people keep saying this?
The very same judge (Barry Williams) finding some of the officers not guilty of criminal negligence said that actions of the defendants could indeed be civilly negligent.
there was no evidence of a rough ride in this case
$6.4 million in taxpayer money back from his family?
I believe that was a civil case, which would have involved a lower standard of proof. It's wild speculation, but Baltimore probably could have settled for less than that if they had waited for the outcome of the criminal cases, but I doubt it would have gone down to zero.
RE: RE: RE: I hope all six cops sue whoever they can for...
$6.4 million in taxpayer money back from his family?
I believe that was a civil case, which would have involved a lower standard of proof. It's wild speculation, but Baltimore probably could have settled for less than that if they had waited for the outcome of the criminal cases, but I doubt it would have gone down to zero.
That was my point. The City rushed to settle the civil case for political reasons. And, oh yeah, the Gray family lawyer who pocketed $2.1M happens to be good friends with the Mosbys.
Mosby tried to suppress testimony from the Medical Examiner...
That Gray's death was a "freakish accident," not a homicide. Mosby also attempted to silence the lead investigator on the the case - Detective Dawnyell Taylor - after Taylor found that the "evidence" Mosby wanted to present to the grand jury was full of inaccuracies and distortions. Mosby also attempted to prevent Taylor's case notes from being entered into the record. Luckily for Price and the other defendants, the judge wasn't having any of it.
She's giving a press conference right now yelling about how the judge wasn't fair to her. She sounds like an angry child. (And oddly, the man standing next to her is wearing a NY Jets hat.)
Mosby, an hour ago, gave a press conference near where the arrest took place along with Freddie Gray's parent's. She was cheered and they said they were proud she was the prosecutor. There might be isolated incidents, but I don't think there will be anything close to the earlier riots.
Driving in a manner to punish disorderly passengers is a common cop tactic. Asshole in the back seat mouthing off? Slam the brakes - people who are cuffed have a hard time preventing themselves from hitting the cage. Shuts them right up.
I'm guessing that's exactly what happened with Gray. But it wasn't a squad car - it was a van, and there was room for him to fly and snap his neck when the brakes were pegged.
I doubt the cop meant to kill him, but kill him he did, and it's a crying shame there's no justice on this one, not only for Gray, but for those affected by the inevitable violence in 3... 2.... 1...
Driving in a manner to punish disorderly passengers is a common cop tactic. Asshole in the back seat mouthing off? Slam the brakes - people who are cuffed have a hard time preventing themselves from hitting the cage. Shuts them right up.
I'm guessing that's exactly what happened with Gray. But it wasn't a squad car - it was a van, and there was room for him to fly and snap his neck when the brakes were pegged.
I doubt the cop meant to kill him, but kill him he did, and it's a crying shame there's no justice on this one, not only for Gray, but for those affected by the inevitable violence in 3... 2.... 1...
Accepting that description, just how does that make the 5 non-drivers guilty?
malicious prosecution, defamation or anything else that will stick.
Yeah, because they did no wrong.
So sayeth the judge. And you're an expert on the law?
Get over it.
They judge didn't say they did no wrong.
That's not the judge's job. The prosecutor couldn't make the case she brought because she had no evidence to support her charges. The judge did his job and ruled not guilty. That says it all.
She over played the case, and lacked the evidence to prosecute. She fueled the emotion surrounding the case and raised the false expectations of a different outcome, even through she lacked the means (legal evidence) to deliver. This was a politically motivated overreach.
As a result, we now have an angrier city that wants revenge (naively labeled as "Justice") for the death of Gray. The man should not have died, and something went horrible wrong. However, the DA and prosecuting team played this wrong and made a bad situation even worse.
Driving in a manner to punish disorderly passengers is a common cop tactic. Asshole in the back seat mouthing off? Slam the brakes - people who are cuffed have a hard time preventing themselves from hitting the cage. Shuts them right up.
I'm guessing that's exactly what happened with Gray. But it wasn't a squad car - it was a van, and there was room for him to fly and snap his neck when the brakes were pegged.
I doubt the cop meant to kill him, but kill him he did, and it's a crying shame there's no justice on this one, not only for Gray, but for those affected by the inevitable violence in 3... 2.... 1...
Driving in a manner to punish disorderly passengers is a common cop tactic. Asshole in the back seat mouthing off? Slam the brakes - people who are cuffed have a hard time preventing themselves from hitting the cage. Shuts them right up.
I'm guessing that's exactly what happened with Gray. But it wasn't a squad car - it was a van, and there was room for him to fly and snap his neck when the brakes were pegged.
I doubt the cop meant to kill him, but kill him he did, and it's a crying shame there's no justice on this one, not only for Gray, but for those affected by the inevitable violence in 3... 2.... 1...
You're guessing, so the driver is guilty? Seriously, that's how you would judge this case?
That's akin to guilt by association. Somebody else did this so the driver in the Freddie Grey case must have done it too?
I think that there are some countries where "I guess he did it"
Gee, I don't know. Maybe because they have lost every case they brought and that they were nonsense to begin with. Just a guess.
Anyone with the ACTUAL answer?
That said, this is the kind of shit BLM is protesting about.
It's pretty obvious to anyone paying attention what more than likely took place. Fortunately for the accused, there wasn't close to enough evidence to convict.
The whole "beyond a reasonable doubt" thing is pretty important in our legal system.
Anyone with the ACTUAL answer?
The startling move was an apparent acknowledgement of the unlikelihood of a conviction following the acquittals of three other officers on similar and more serious charges by Circuit Judge Barry G. Williams, who was expected to preside over the remaining trials as well.
It also means the office of Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby will secure no convictions in the case after more than a year of dogged fighting, against increasingly heavy odds, to hold someone criminally accountable in Gray's death.
from the Baltimore Sun - ( New Window )
because they're the victims here, not the dead guy.
Quote:
malicious prosecution, defamation or anything else that will stick.
because they're the victims here, not the dead guy.
He was a thug. They deserve what they get. Duh.
Right. And even with lesser charges, there was still a lack of evidence.
It's pretty obvious to anyone paying attention what more than likely took place. Fortunately for the accused, there wasn't close to enough evidence to convict.
The whole "beyond a reasonable doubt" thing is pretty important in our legal system.
Sue? They should be on their knees in prayer that they're not in jail.
Quote:
There's a difference between not enough evidence for a conviction, and "nonsense" charges.
It's pretty obvious to anyone paying attention what more than likely took place. Fortunately for the accused, there wasn't close to enough evidence to convict.
The whole "beyond a reasonable doubt" thing is pretty important in our legal system.
I would say some of the charges were nonsense. I would put in this category the charges against the arresting officers who had no role in the transport. At first the reason for the arrest was questioned but the last information was that it was due to possession of a type of knife which was questionable to be legal.
I think I can agree with that.
Yeah, because they did no wrong. They should give them medals!
Quote:
malicious prosecution, defamation or anything else that will stick.
Yeah, because they did no wrong.
So sayeth the judge. And you're an expert on the law?
Get over it.
they have paid out previous million dollar lawsuits for injuries due to prisoner transport. and they never bothered to attempt to put cameras in the transport vans. and there was a sign posted on the van "Hope you enjoy you're ride, w e know we did" which gives credence to the issue of rough rides.
It's pretty obvious to anyone paying attention what more than likely took place. Fortunately for the accused, there wasn't close to enough evidence to convict.
The whole "beyond a reasonable doubt" thing is pretty important in our legal system.
Cam - I think I've got these facts right, but I believe that none of the remaining defendants had any connection to the van ride. If correct, and given the outcomes of the previous trials, I'd say the chances for conviction were virtually nil. Beyond that, IMHO, I think all defendants who had no connection with the van ride were egregiously overcharged for probably political purposes. However, I agree with you in that I don't think the charges were nonsense with respect to anyone who was involved with the van ride.
If this isnt sarcasm you're a fucking disgusting piece of shit. This man died in the custody of law enforcement for no fucking reason.
Why do people keep saying this?
The very same judge (Barry Williams) finding some of the officers not guilty of criminal negligence said that actions of the defendants could indeed be civilly negligent.
Quote:
In comment 13046581 Crispino said:
Quote:
malicious prosecution, defamation or anything else that will stick.
because they're the victims here, not the dead guy.
He was a thug. They deserve what they get. Duh.
And a Baltimore thug at that. Anyone who watched "The Wire" knows all about it!
I believe that was a civil case, which would have involved a lower standard of proof. It's wild speculation, but Baltimore probably could have settled for less than that if they had waited for the outcome of the criminal cases, but I doubt it would have gone down to zero.
Quote:
In comment 13046581 Crispino said:
Quote:
malicious prosecution, defamation or anything else that will stick.
Yeah, because they did no wrong.
So sayeth the judge. And you're an expert on the law?
Get over it.
They judge didn't say they did no wrong.
the charges re: their arrest of Gray "unlawful imprisonment" seemed thin, and that's being generous
they had to due to statute of limitations on filing a civil suit.
Link - ( New Window )
Anyone with the ACTUAL answer?
That is the answer. Some people want Mosby's ass on this and want her to lose her attorney license or worse.
Quote:
$6.4 million in taxpayer money back from his family?
I believe that was a civil case, which would have involved a lower standard of proof. It's wild speculation, but Baltimore probably could have settled for less than that if they had waited for the outcome of the criminal cases, but I doubt it would have gone down to zero.
That was my point. The City rushed to settle the civil case for political reasons. And, oh yeah, the Gray family lawyer who pocketed $2.1M happens to be good friends with the Mosbys.
As soon as the usual suspects get back from Philly.
Mosby, an hour ago, gave a press conference near where the arrest took place along with Freddie Gray's parent's. She was cheered and they said they were proud she was the prosecutor. There might be isolated incidents, but I don't think there will be anything close to the earlier riots.
Driving in a manner to punish disorderly passengers is a common cop tactic. Asshole in the back seat mouthing off? Slam the brakes - people who are cuffed have a hard time preventing themselves from hitting the cage. Shuts them right up.
I'm guessing that's exactly what happened with Gray. But it wasn't a squad car - it was a van, and there was room for him to fly and snap his neck when the brakes were pegged.
I doubt the cop meant to kill him, but kill him he did, and it's a crying shame there's no justice on this one, not only for Gray, but for those affected by the inevitable violence in 3... 2.... 1...
Driving in a manner to punish disorderly passengers is a common cop tactic. Asshole in the back seat mouthing off? Slam the brakes - people who are cuffed have a hard time preventing themselves from hitting the cage. Shuts them right up.
I'm guessing that's exactly what happened with Gray. But it wasn't a squad car - it was a van, and there was room for him to fly and snap his neck when the brakes were pegged.
I doubt the cop meant to kill him, but kill him he did, and it's a crying shame there's no justice on this one, not only for Gray, but for those affected by the inevitable violence in 3... 2.... 1...
Accepting that description, just how does that make the 5 non-drivers guilty?
Quote:
In comment 13046625 AP in Halfmoon said:
Quote:
In comment 13046581 Crispino said:
Quote:
malicious prosecution, defamation or anything else that will stick.
Yeah, because they did no wrong.
So sayeth the judge. And you're an expert on the law?
Get over it.
They judge didn't say they did no wrong.
That's not the judge's job. The prosecutor couldn't make the case she brought because she had no evidence to support her charges. The judge did his job and ruled not guilty. That says it all.
As a result, we now have an angrier city that wants revenge (naively labeled as "Justice") for the death of Gray. The man should not have died, and something went horrible wrong. However, the DA and prosecuting team played this wrong and made a bad situation even worse.
Driving in a manner to punish disorderly passengers is a common cop tactic. Asshole in the back seat mouthing off? Slam the brakes - people who are cuffed have a hard time preventing themselves from hitting the cage. Shuts them right up.
I'm guessing that's exactly what happened with Gray. But it wasn't a squad car - it was a van, and there was room for him to fly and snap his neck when the brakes were pegged.
I doubt the cop meant to kill him, but kill him he did, and it's a crying shame there's no justice on this one, not only for Gray, but for those affected by the inevitable violence in 3... 2.... 1...
Link - ( New Window )
Driving in a manner to punish disorderly passengers is a common cop tactic. Asshole in the back seat mouthing off? Slam the brakes - people who are cuffed have a hard time preventing themselves from hitting the cage. Shuts them right up.
I'm guessing that's exactly what happened with Gray. But it wasn't a squad car - it was a van, and there was room for him to fly and snap his neck when the brakes were pegged.
I doubt the cop meant to kill him, but kill him he did, and it's a crying shame there's no justice on this one, not only for Gray, but for those affected by the inevitable violence in 3... 2.... 1...
You're guessing, so the driver is guilty? Seriously, that's how you would judge this case?
That's akin to guilt by association. Somebody else did this so the driver in the Freddie Grey case must have done it too?