Supporters of slain Baltimore man Freddie Gray were in front of the courthouse were six police officers appeared in front of Judge Barry Williams today for a hearing to decide if their case would be dismissed as well as would State Prosecutor Mosby be recused from handling the case against the cops.
“We are not looking to punish anybody but we are looking for the court to remedy the damage that has been done to the fair trial rights of the defendants,” Andrew Graham, a lawyer for Officer Caesar R. Goodson Jr., who faces murder charges in Mr. Gray’s death said at a hearing. “The state’s attorney basically accepted and encouraged the public’s cry of ‘No justice, no peace.’ ”
Ms. Mosby’s May 1 news conference announcing the charges against the officers was widely seen here as helping soothe a city on edge. Michael Schatzow, Ms. Mosby’s deputy, mentioned that to Judge Williams in vigorously defending her, and said her statements had been were appropriate. But when Mr. Schatzow suggested her words had helped calm the city, Judge Williams replied: “It isn’t the prosecutor’s job to calm the city. Isn’t it the prosecutor’s job to prosecute cases?”
At another point, defense lawyers complained that Ms. Mosby had violated prosecutorial rules by acknowledging during her news conference that the officers had cooperated in the investigation. “That’s inappropriate and you know that,” the judge told Mr. Schatzow. “You have to concede that.”
Outraged activists are blocking the streets holding up signs that say “Stop racism now” and chanting “Indict, convict, send those killer cops to jail. The whole damn system is guilty as hell” and “Tell the truth and stop the lies, Freddie Gray didn’t have to die.”
Community activist Kwame Rose was reportedly hit by a car during the protester’s blockade. Police forced protester off the road, while rose was arrested, handcuffed, and moved into a van.
Anya Parampil is in Baltimore, covering the protests.
Cop pushes me and tells me to shut up as I take photos of man arrested. I say I’m a member of the press he says he doesn’t care
— Anya Parampil (@anyaparampil) September 2, 2015
Through my reporting in Balt (even on most tense nights of uprising) I’ve never been touched or disrespected by public or police — Anya Parampil (@anyaparampil) September 2, 2015
The Baltimore Sun reports that activists have spread the protest throughout the city as the hearings began. “Our message is pretty obvious. Do not drop the charges. No change in venue. Do not recuse Marilyn Mosby,” Sharon Black, of the Baltimore People’s Power Assembly, told the Sun.
Baltimore police making announcements via helicopter. #FreddieGray pic.twitter.com/QTItLJq3a9
— ShordeeDooWhop (@Nettaaaaaaaa) September 2, 2015
The Lawyers of the six officers have asked the judge to dismiss all charges and to remove Marilyn J. Mosby, who is the state’s attorney for Baltimore City, as the lead prosecutor. Claiming that Mosby is now a conflict of interest because of her husband Nick Mosby, a city councilman, who has made prejudicial statements, including “inciting rhetoric” at a news conference announcing the charges.
The defense lawyers have also asked that the officers be tried individually and to have the trial moved outside of Baltimore because of the heavy news coverage this case is receiving.
Mosby has become a well-known figure since her decision to charge six officers in the April 19 arrest and death of Gray, who died of a severed spine suffered while in police custody. Each officer has pleaded not guilty.
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