Officer Nero Trial Closes with Focus on Freddie Gray Arrest

BALTIMORE, MD - As Judge Barry Williams heard closing arguments Thursday in the trial of Officer Edward Nero, the debate largely focused on whether the arrest of 25-year-old Freddie Gray was legal and if he was at fault for not seat-belting the detainee in a police van.

Nero, 30, is a Baltimore Police officer charged with second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and two counts of misconduct in office related to the detainment of Gray, who was arrested last April and died a week later.

Police stated that Nero, who was patrolling an area off North Avenue on bicycle on April 12, 2015, pursued Gray with fellow bicycle patrol Officer Garrett Miller after a lieutenant reported that Gray made eye contact with him and ran.

Deputy State's Attorney Janice Bledsoe claimed the arrest was illegal. Bledsoe said it was legal to detain Gray but argued there was no cause for an arrest, and the action was grounds for charges of assault and misconduct in office, Fox 45 reported.

Officer Miller testified earlier in the week that he was the one who made the physical arrest, testimony that was reportedly confirmed by footage from Baltimore City's closed circuit TV camera footage.

Prosecutors also allege Gray died from a spinal injury he got in a police van, where he was not seat-belted. They argued that not buckling him in was reckless endangerment, according to ABC 2 News.

Days before the arrest, the Baltimore Police Department had ordered officers to seatbelt detainees.

Defense attorney Marc Zayon said that all witnesses who spoke about police procedures testified that it was the van driver's responsibility to buckle someone in, according to WJZ.

Closing arguments ended by approximately 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 19, one week after the trial began.

Williams is expected to issue a verdict at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 23.

Related:

• Freddie Gray Case: Verdict Coming in Officer Nero Trial
• Officer in Freddie Gray Case Opts for Trial by Judge
• Bel Air Resident is Among 6 Officers Charged in Freddie Gray Case
• Officer Charged in Freddie Gray Case Challenges Claims

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