Advertisement

Judge denies motion to dismiss charges against Baltimore police officers

A motion to recuse the office of State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby in the case was also dismissed.

By Ed Adamczyk
A judge in Baltimore declined to dismiss charges against six Baltimore police officers charged for the death of Freddie Gray. File photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
A judge in Baltimore declined to dismiss charges against six Baltimore police officers charged for the death of Freddie Gray. File photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

BALTIMORE, Sept. 2 (UPI) -- A federal judge on Wednesday denied motions to dismiss charges against six Baltimore police officers accused in the death of Freddie Gray.

Judge Barry Williams also declined a motion to recuse State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby from the case.

Advertisement

He rejected the motion to dismiss felonies ranging from assault to murder in the April death of Gray, 25, who sustained a spinal injury while being transported in a police van. His death sparked nights of rioting as well as peaceful protests in Baltimore, and a national conversation about race relations in America. The incident prompted a civil rights investigation into the Baltimore Police Department by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Lawyers for the officers also sought to have Mosby removed from the case. They said she showed bias when she announced the charges against the officers during an emotional press conference May 1.

The trial of Caesar R. Goodson Jr., Garrett E. Miller and Edward M. Nero, William G. Porter, Brian W. Rice and Alicia D. White, all Baltimore police officers, is scheduled to continue. The hearing was the first time prosecutors and defense lawyers argued their points verbally. Prior to Wednesday the court had seen only written motions.

Advertisement

Demonstrators, calling for justice in Gray's death, marched through downtown Baltimore during the hearing, some blocking a street. One person was arrested.

Latest Headlines