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NOT GUILTY: Baltimore officer Caesar Goodson found innocent of all charges in Freddie Gray case

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Baltimore police officer Caesar Goodson, the driver of the transport van in the Freddie Gray case, has been found not guilty of all charges, including second-degree depraved-heart murder.

Goodson was accused of giving Gray a ‘rough ride’ which ultimately led to his death.  Goodson was also charged with second-degree assault, misconduct in office, involuntary manslaughter, manslaughter by vehicles gross negligence, manslaughter by vehicles criminal negligence and reckless endangerment.

Officer Caesar Goodson, one of six Baltimore city police officers charged in connection to the death of Freddie Gray, arrives at a courthouse before receiving a verdict in his trial in Baltimore, Thursday, June 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Officer Caesar Goodson, one of six Baltimore city police officers charged in connection to the death of Freddie Gray, arrives at a courthouse before receiving a verdict in his trial in Baltimore, Thursday, June 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

The prosecution’s case relied on proving that the ‘rough ride’ took place, and many saw it unravel when their key witness took the stand and couldn’t say whether or not the driver did anything inappropriate.  Judge Barry Williams said the prosecution failed to show that Goodson ever intended for anything bad to happen.

Prosecutor Marilyn Mosby, whom many believe greatly overcharged the officers in order to quell civil unrest in the city, is now 0 for 3 in trials thus far.

Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby, leaves the courthouse in Baltimore during the trial of Officer Caesar Goodson, one of six Baltimore city police officers charged in connection to the death of Freddie Gray, Friday, June 10, 2016, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby, leaves the courthouse in Baltimore during the trial of Officer Caesar Goodson, one of six Baltimore city police officers charged in connection to the death of Freddie Gray, Friday, June 10, 2016, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Goodson, a 16-year veteran of the force, was the third officer to stand trial in the infamous case of the death of Freddie Gray. The trial of Officer William Porter, the first officer to be tried, ended in a hung jury. Officer Edward Nero opted to for a bench trial and was acquitted on all charges last month.  Goodson too had elected for a bench trial.

In preparation for today’s verdict, the city has canceled leave for police officers and members of the National Guard have been asked to not leave the state.  Riots broke out that ravaged parts of the city following Gray’s death last year.

Smoke billows from a CVS Pharmacy store in Baltimore on Monday, April 27, 2015. Demonstrators clashed with police after the funeral of Freddie Gray. Gray died from spinal injuries about a week after he was arrested and transported in a Baltimore Police Department van. (AP Photo/Juliet Linderman)
Smoke billows from a CVS Pharmacy store in Baltimore on Monday, April 27, 2015. Demonstrators clashed with police after the funeral of Freddie Gray. Gray died from spinal injuries about a week after he was arrested and transported in a Baltimore Police Department van. (AP Photo/Juliet Linderman)

Goodson faced a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison had he been found guilty on the second-degree murder charge.

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6 COMMENTS

  1. This is a law enforcement site, so please use the right terminology. No court of law has an “innocent” verdict. He was found Not Guilty.

  2. Thank God!!! Now, let’s get the rest of these Officers charges dismissed…then fire Marilyn Mosby!

  3. You think they’ll do the sensible thing and just withdraw the charges against the remaining officers? Yeah, neither do I.

  4. Congratulations Officer! Exoneration feels good, doesn’t it? Thank you for your service and God bless you all.

  5. He WASN’T “FOUND INNOCENT” ! HE was innocent all along! I would have hoped your “journalist” knows that EVERYONE is presumed innocent in our system, apparently they don’t, nor does Ms Mosby or the protestors they encouraged by her actions.

  6. I hope Mosby get’s fired, disbarred and then loses everything in the civil suits. After all, she’s earned it. Too bad she didn’t use her time and talents to prosecute criminals instead of trying to ruin the lives of good cops!

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