Baltimore Circuit Judge, Barry Williams, announced his verdict Monday morning finding Officer Edward Nero not guilty on all four charges. Nero was charged with reckless endangerment, two counts of misconduct in office, and assault in connection with the death of Freddie Gray.
Attorney J. Wyndal Gordon speaking after the not guilty verdict. #FreddieGray pic.twitter.com/5SLd5zJyY7
— AFRO News Live (@AFRONewsLive) May 23, 2016
Baltimore’s Mayor released this statement on the verdict.
My statement on the judge's decision in the criminal trial of officer Nero pic.twitter.com/2clErkU0YF
— Mayor Rawlings-Blake (@MayorSRB) May 23, 2016
Officers are packed outside of the courthouse bracing for protests.
3) The violent arrest of Melvin. Slammed to the ground and choked. https://t.co/pYT1CG4ztZ
— David Pontious (@DavidPontious) May 23, 2016
Nero faced a maximum sentence of 10 years for second-degree assault and up to 5 years for reckless endangerment. Opting for a bench trial instead of a jury trial, Officer Nero pleaded not guilty along with the other five officers who were charged. During the bench trial prosecutors argued heavily that despite the new seat belt policy being implemented just days before, Nero endangered Gray by failing to seatbelt him in the police van. Nero’s defense team argued that the prosecutor had no way of proving that Nero had indeed read the email regarding this policy and that Officer Garrett Miller handcuffed Mr. Gray. The defense also argued that the only reason Officer Nero touched Gray was to help him sit up and to help him find his asthma inhaler.
The remaining officers are still awaiting trial. Officer Caesar Goodson’s trial will begin June 6th. There are two trials scheduled for July. The retrial of Officer William Porter, whose trial was declared a mistrial is set to take place September 6th. The last trial is expected to take place in October.
