The Maryland State Attorney has charged six police officers in Baltimore with homicide – and one with second-degree murder – in the death of Freddie Gray.
Marilyn Mosby, 35, the state’s attorney for Baltimore City, told a news briefing she the charges were being filed because officers did not provide medical help upon Gray’s request.
Gray was a well-known convicted drug dealer and user in the community with a long rap sheet. He was taken into custody but it is not clear why, and placed into a police van.
Sometime during that ride, the van stopped four times and at least twice Gray reportedly asked for medical assistance.
By the time he reached the end of the ride, Gray had suffered a critical neck injury, with his spine nearly severed in half, and had a head wound. He was taken to the hospital and died a week later on April 19.
Peaceful protests were ignited on that day, and grew violent on the day of Gray’s funeral, earlier this week, eventually spreading across the entire country.