Baltimore Police Officer Edward Nero Found Not Guilty In Freddie Gray Case

Baltimore police officer Edward Nero

Baltimore police officer Edward Nero has been found not guilty of all charges in the case of Freddie Gray, whose injuries and subsequent death occurred while in police custody.

Videos of the arrest, and Gray’s death seven days later, sparked days-long protests and standoffs with the police.

From USA Today:

Nero, who is white, was the second of six officers to face trial and the first to obtain a verdict. The first case ended in a hung jury and will be retried.

Gray, 25, suffered a spinal injury while in police custody on April 12, 2015, and died a week later. Prosecutors say he suffered the injury while traveling without a secured seat belt in the back of a police van.

Nero, 30, had declined a jury trial, and Judge Barry Williams heard testimony that wrapped up last week. Nero was found not guilty of assault, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment.

Nero's lawyers argued that it was the responsibility of the officers in the police van to secure Gray.

The Baltimore Police Department issued a statement saying Nero will still be subject to investigative review, and will remain in an administrative capacity while that investigation continues.