Freddie Gray was taken into custody by Baltimore police last Sunday in the 1500 block of North Avenue. What happened over the next few minutes is unclear; the ultimate result, however, was that Gray was left comatose and with severe spinal cord injuries. He died over the weekend.The attorney representing Gray’s family, the powerhouse William “Billy” Murphy Jr., released an excoriating statement about the events:
On last Sunday morning at about 8am, the police chased Freddie Gray, a 27 year old healthy man, without any evidence he had committed a crime. His take-down and arrest without probable cause occurred under a police video camera, which taped everything including the police dragging and throwing Freddy into a police vehicle while he screamed in pain. While in police custody, his spine was 80 percent severed at his neck.
The Baltimore Police Department will be conducting a criminal investigation into Gray’s death.
Gray’s death made national news and inspired anguished public gatherings and protests against police brutality. You’ll certainly be hearing more about this case in the days and weeks to come–stay tuned.
UPDATE: The story is making national news. Read the The New York Times story, Baltimore Officials Promise Investigation Into Death of Man Following His Arrest.
