In an indictment today by a Grand Jury in Baltimore, six police officers were charged in connection with Freddy Gray’s death last month.

25-year-old Gray died from spinal injuries while in the custody of Baltimore police and his death sparked off a wave of protests in that city that spanned several days and spread across the nation.

Gray was arrested on April 12th in the Gilmor Homes Project. Arresting officers said that they arrested him on charges of carrying a spring-assisted one hand knife. Although police said that the knife was in violation of Baltimore code, the state attorney in Baltimore stated that the knife was legal under state law.

The officers, Lt. Brian W. Rice, Officer Edward Nero, and Officer Garrett E. Miller, apprehended Gray after a foot chase and reported that they had arrested him without incident.

But, bystanders told a different story of Gray’s illegal arrest and say the officers folded Gray by pulling his legs back in a “leg lace,” as the other officer knelt on Grays neck as he was face-down on the ground. The witnesses said that Gray looked severely injured after his arrest and as they drug him to the police van 11 minutes later, Gray was screaming in pain. It was also reported that another witness observed the officers beating Gray with a baton.

During one of four stops, Gray was unloaded and shackled by officers because he was acting “irate.” But, a cellphone recording showed Gray motionless as several officers gathered around him and shackled him. The transport van made an additional two stops before going to the West District Police Station. 

It is contended that contrary to new policy, that a prisoner has to be restrained in the vehicle during transport, Gray was not, and that omission may have added to Gray’s injuries.

Upon his arrival at the station, paramedics worked on Gray for 21 minutes before loading him into an ambulance and taking him to the hospital. But, by that time, Gray had already lapsed into a coma.

Gray suffered three fractured vertebrae, voice box injuries and his spine was 80% severed at his neck. Gray never regained consciousness, suffering cardiopulmonary arrest at least once before he died on April 19th.

Medical examiners reported that Gray died from injuries that he sustained in the transport van, where, they say that he was slammed into the inside of the van snapping his neck. The head injury, they say, matches a bolt in the back of the van.

Baltimore’s state attorney, Marilyn Mosby charged six officers following the medical examiner’s report that ruled the death of Gray as a homicide.

The driver of the van, Officer Caesar R. Goodson Jr, was charged with Depraved Heart Murder II, Involuntary Manslaughter, Assault II, Manslaughter by Vehicle and Misconduct in Office. His bail was set at $350,000. He was also indicted on a second charge of Manslaughter by Vehicle and Reckless Endangerment by a Grand Jury today. His charges, as the driver of the van are the most severe.

Officers Garrett Miller and Edward Nero were each charged with two counts of Assault II, Misconduct in Office, and False Imprisonment. Their bail was set at $250.000. In today’s indictment, there was no mention of False Imprisonment, but charges of Reckless Endangerment were added by the Grand Jury..

Officer William Porter, the officer called to come and check on Gray, was charged with Involuntary Manslaughter and Assault II and Misconduct in Office. Gray had asked Porter twice for a medic, but Porter refused his request and did not call one or assess his condition. Porter’s bail was set at $350,000. At indictment, a count of Reckless Endangerment was added.

The third officer in the initial arrest, Lt. Brian Rice, was charged with Involuntary Manslaughter, two counts of Assault II and Manslaughter by Vehicle. His bail was set at $350,000.

Sgt. Alicia Rice was charged with Involuntary Manslaughter Assault II and Misconduct. White was the officer advised that Gray needed a medic, but refused to call for medical assistance. Her bail was set at $350,000. She had a charge of Reckless Endangerment added to her charges by the Grand Jury as well.

All of the officers arrested, posted bail and were released on the same day of their arrest.

As to why some of the charges were no longer listed, and others added, Mosby said, “As our investigation has continued, additional information has been discovered, and as is often the case during an ongoing investigation, charges can and should be revised based upon the evidence.”

Mosby had stated that Gray should not have been detained and that the knife that Gray had in his possession was a legal pocket knife. But, lawyers for the officers are disputing that.

The police union is protesting Mosby’s charges against the police officers, and the officer’s attorneys say that Mosby should be taken off the case for conflicts of interest. But Mosby denies any such conflict exists.

If convicted on the charges, the officers face decades in prison.

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