Milwaukee Sheriff Comments on Verdict in Freddie Gray Case

MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Sheriff David Clarke has issued a statement conveying his opinion after a Baltimore judge today returned a verdict of not guilty for Officer Edward M. Nero on all counts against him in the Freddie Gray case.

Nero, 30, faced four misdemeanor charges of second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and two counts of misconduct in office.

This is the second officer involved to have his case heard in the death of Freddie Gray. The first officer’s case resulted in a hung jury.

Full Statement from Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr.:

“Justice has been served. I have said from the very beginning that this was a politically-driven case by an activist state’s attorney from Baltimore. This was nothing more than a political witch hunt from the start.

I have always said that officers want to be judged by the rule of law and not by the sentiments of an angry mob who were looking for revenge instead of justice. Thank God that under the American justice system, officers are entitled to due process, like anyone else in a criminal case. The difference here is that these charges treat these officers like second class citizens who don’t have any rights.

It is time for State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby to end this miscarriage of justice and withdraw the charges against the remaining officers, as well as those for the officer whose verdict resulted in a hung jury. It is time for the Baltimore area to put their city back together so they can get past this ugly episode.

The death of Freddie Gray was tragic, but it was not criminal. If agency policy was violated, that should have been handled as an internal discipline case, not a criminal case.

I commend the judge, unlike Mosby, for applying the rule of law and not succumbing to politics or fear of more riots.”

Background on the Case

Gray, 25, had been arrested by the Baltimore Police Department for possessing what the police alleged was an illegal switchblade. While being transported in a police van, Gray fell into a coma and was taken to a trauma center.

Gray died on April 19, 2015 attributable to multiple apparent spinal cord injuries after he was given a "rough ride" inside a police vehicle.. Six Baltimore police officers had been suspended with pay as an investigation was launched into the circumstances of Gray's death.

______________________

Get Patched In:

Stay up-to-date with Metro Milwaukee News with Patch! There are many ways for you to connect and stay in touch: Newsletters and E-Mail Alerts | Facebook | Twitter