Fourth Baltimore officer opts for bench trial in Freddie Gray case

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

The fourth Baltimore police officer facing charges in the death of black detainee Freddie Gray opted for a bench trial on Tuesday as prosecutors seek their first conviction in the high-profile case.

Lieutenant Brian Rice, 42, is the highest ranking of the six officers charged in Gray's death in April 2015. He died after suffering a broken neck while being transported in a police transport van.

His death a week after being arrested triggered rioting in which nearly 400 buildings were damaged or destroyed in the majority black city of 620,000 people. The case helped stoke the national debate over policing in minority communities.

During a pretrial hearing, Rice elected to have Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Barry Williams decide his fate rather than a jury. Williams has acquitted two officers, and a jury deadlocked in a third case.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-baltimore-police-idUSKCN0ZL1SE

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World | Tue Jul 5, 2016 12:49pm EDT
BALTIMORE | BY DONNA OWENS

[meow2u3]

1. A judge is more likely to get him off scot-free

He wouldn't have such luck with a jury, which would probably have convicted him of those crimes.

I'd like to know who the judge was and is and the real reason he's partial towards killer cops.

[Calista241]

2. The judge is more likely to rule based on the law

and not on emotions. Especially when, so far, the state's case is seriously lacking a criminal foundation.

[TeddyR]

3. I'm surprised this trial is going forward

There hasn't been enough evidence to convict the others so no idea why the prosecutor thinks this will be different.

[cstanleytech]

5. Because they want to be seen as doing something. nt

[cstanleytech]

4. Pretty much agree. nt

[rexcat]

7. I am sure...

Freddie Carlos Gray, Jr's injuries were self-inflicted or at least that is what some of the police in Baltimore have said.

[uawchild]

6. Felony Murder must not apply to police

Felony murder holds all participants in a crime guilty of murder if any one of them kills someone.

Freddie Gray died in police custody due to their criminal negligence at the very least. Freddie remains dead and no police involved will be held accountable. It's a joke. A sick bad joke.