Baltimore officer acquitted in Freddie Gray death

A police officer was acquitted on Monday of all charges for his part in the events leading to the death of 25-year-old black man Freddie Gray last year in Baltimore, Maryland.

The verdict, the first in a series of six police trials, came more than a year after Gray died in police custody in April 2015.

Officer Edward Nero, white, was cleared of all charges against him, including assault, reckless endangerment and two counts of misconduct in office.

Baltimore Circuit Court Judge Barry Williams said in his ruling that there were "no credible facts" that indicated Nero's direct involvement in Gray's arrest, adding that testimony showed that Nero's role in putting Gray in the van was minimized by the actions of other officers.

"The state's theory has been one of recklessness and negligence," said Williams in his ruling. "There has been no evidence that the defendant intended for a crime to occur."

Currently, Nero remains on desk duty and still faces a departmental investigation that could result in disciplinary action.

Gray died in April 2015, a week after suffering a spinal injury in the back of the police van while he was handcuffed and shackled without being belted in.

His death set off widespread looting and arson that prompted authorities to declare a citywide curfew.

Shortly after the announcement of Nero's acquittal, Baltimore mayor said the city was prepared to respond to any disturbance after the verdict.

In a statement, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said the city would protect neighborhoods, business and residents.

However, protesters were barely seen on streets on Monday after the verdict.

"There are many people here who have no interest in tearing down Baltimore," Jason Downs, an attorney representing Gray's family in civil suits, told Xinhua. "When the cameras go away and the lights are no longer flashing, we live here."

Source: XINHUA