Baltimore (CNN)After a day of jubilation following charges
against six Baltimore police officers in the death of Freddie Gray,
protesters cleared the streets early Saturday to observe a curfew.
A few protesters scuffled with police after 10 p.m., when the curfew went into effect.
Authorities
used a megaphone from a helicopter to warn protesters to go home or
get arrested. Police detained 53 people late Friday, including 15 who
violated curfew.
By midnight, the streets were deserted as a hush washed over, a far cry from the boisterous honking, weeping and cheers earlier when the city's top prosecutor announced charges.
Six officers to face charges
Six police officers will face charges in the death of Gray, Baltimore City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby said Friday, describing what she believes happened April 12, when Gray was arrested.
The
25-year-old died after suffering "a severe and critical neck injury"
while being transported "handcuffed, shackled by his feet and
unrestrained" inside a police van, she said. It is against police policy
to transport a prisoner without proper restraints such as a seat belt.
Police union 'frustrated'
The
police union called for an independent prosecutor, saying Mosby has
conflicts of interests. They also criticized her for not waiting until
police were done with their inquiry.
"Let
me begin by stating how appalled and frustrated we are at this
morning's events. .... We are disappointed in the apparent rush to
judgment given the fact that the investigation into this matter has not
been concluded," said Gene Ryan, president of the police union. "Our
officers, like every other American, are entitled to due process."
The Baltimore Fraternal Order of Police said the officers did nothing wrong.
"No
officer injured Mr. Gray, caused harm to Mr. Gray, and they are truly
saddened by his death," said Michael Davey, an attorney for the union.
The accused
The officers face various charges that could lead to decades in prison.
•
Officer Caesar R. Goodson Jr., 45, faces one count of second-degree
depraved-heart murder, involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault,
manslaughter by vehicle (gross negligence), manslaughter by vehicle
(criminal negligence) and misconduct in office.
•
Lt. Brian W. Rice, 41, faces one count of involuntary manslaughter, two
counts of second-degree assault, two counts of misconduct in office and
one count of false imprisonment.
• Sgt. Alicia D. White, 30, faces one count of involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault and misconduct in office.
• Officer William G. Porter, 25, faces one count of involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault and misconduct in office.
•
Officer Garrett E. Miller, 26, faces two counts of second-degree
assault, two counts of misconduct in office and one count of false
imprisonment.
• Officer Edward M. Nero,
29, faces two counts of second-degree assault, two counts of misconduct
in office and one count of false imprisonment.
Second-degree depraved-heart murder is punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
Gray's relatives said they are satisfied with the charges announced.
"These charges are an important step in getting justice for Freddie," said his stepfather, Richard Shipley.
Out on bail
Court
records show the officers have paid bail. Bail for Goodson, White,
Porter and Rice had been set at $350,000 each. Nero and Miller each had a
bail of $250,000.
The six have a preliminary hearing on May 27.
Baltimore mayor: 'There will be justice' 01:36
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake called for the immediate suspension of all the officers facing charges.
'Grossly negligent'
Police officers arrested Gray on April 12. He slipped into a coma after suffering a series of injuries and died a week later.
Mosby said the incident began when two police officers on bike patrol "made eye contact" with Gray, who then ran.
When
officers caught up to him, he surrendered and was placed on the ground,
arms handcuffed behind his back. He said he couldn't breathe and asked
for an inhaler, but he did not get it, according to Mosby.
Although
police found a knife in Gray's pants, it was a variety allowed by
Maryland law, and police had no reason to detain him, the prosecutor
said.
Still, they called for a police
transport van and loaded Gray, in handcuffs, into the van. They did not
put a seat belt on him, Mosby said.
Van stops
Goodson
stopped the vehicle four times over the course of the approximately
40-minute ride to the police station. At the first stop, officers took
Gray out, put shackles on his ankles and placed him -- still handcuffed
-- headfirst and on his stomach in the back.
At
the last stop, Goodson picked up another man who was put in the back of
the van on the other side of the partition that keeps prisoners
separated.
Mosby said the officers were
"grossly negligent" for failing to get Gray medical help, despite his
requests, until arrival at the Western District Police Station.
By then, he was no longer breathing, she said.
Gray was rushed to a hospital, where he underwent surgery.
He died a week later.
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