Baltimore Officer Found Not Guilty of Murder of Freddie Gray

A Baltimore judge found Baltimore Police Officer Caesar Goodson not guilty of all charges in connection to the death of Freddie Gray Thursday morning.

Goodson was charged with the second-degree murder of Gray, who sustained life-ending injuries while in the back of a police van driven by Goodson. Aside from the most serious charge, Goodson also faced charges of manslaughter, assault, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office. He waived his right to a jury trial, choosing instead to receive a bench trial from Judge Barry Williams.

Goodson’s trial was plagued with irregularities. At one point, Judge Williams ruled that the prosecution withheld evidence showing that the prosecution’s star witness had changed his story. Williams was reportedly “visibly angry” at the revelation, but declined to dismiss the case as defense attorneys requested.

The verdict comes after prosecutor Marilyn Mosby failed to obtain convictions for two other Balitmore officers in connection with the death of Gray. Officer Edward Nero also opted for a bench trial with Williams, and was acquitted. Officer William Porter‘s trial ended in a hung jury, but Mosby has promised to bring to case to trial again.

[Image via screengrab]
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