Third Baltimore police officer tried in Freddie Gray case acquitted of all charges

The Baltimore police officer who drove the transport van Freddie Gray rode in after his arrest was found not guilty on Thursday of all charges stemming from Gray’s April 2015 death, making him the third officer in that case tried without a conviction.

Officer Caesar Goodson faced charges of second-degree “depraved heart” murder, manslaughter, second-degree assault, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment resulting from the broken neck Gray suffered while in police custody. Gray’s death one week after his arrest set off racial unrest across the city.

Baltimore police said they were ready for possible protests after the verdict and the Maryland National Guard was on standby.

Prosecutors alleged that Gray sustained his injuries because Goodson did not properly strap Gray into the police van on April 12, 2015 and also gave him a “rough ride” on the way to the police station. The charges could have sent Goodson to prison for at least 68 years.

Judge Williams repeatedly said prosecutors failed to show evidence that Goodson was aware or should have been aware that Gray was hurt. He also said they could not prove how Gray’s injuries occurred.

During opening statements, prosecutors for the first time accused Goodson of giving Gray a “rough ride,” intentionally leaving him unbuckled “to bounce him around in the back of the van.”

But by closing arguments, they all but abandoned the theory, saying Goodson’s failure to belt Gray in under the circumstances was sufficient to prove the intent necessary for a murder conviction.

“Officer Goodson never calls a medic, he never takes Freddie Gray to the hospital,” said Deputy State’s Attorney Jan Bledsoe. “He has breached his duty, and because of that breach Freddie Gray’s life was shortened.”

The judge seemed skeptical, peppering prosecutors with questions and asking what evidence they had supporting the “rough ride” theory. What if Gray had emerged from the van unhurt, despite being unbuckled, and was found to be falsely claiming injury in order to avoid jail?

Goodson’s attorney Matthew Fraling fiercely rejected the allegations, telling the judge that Goodson was a “gentle” officer who didn’t buckle him in because Gray was exhibiting “violent and erratic” behavior, citing witness testimony that he was making the wagon shake back and forth by kicking and flailing inside.

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