Photo courtesy of Matt Roth for The New York Times
Baltimore state attorney Marilyn Mosby announced Friday that charges will be filed against six police officers in the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray.
Warrants have been issued for their arrest, she said. There is no news yet whether they are in custody.
In addition to second-degree murder and manslaughter, criminal charges include assault, misconduct, and false imprisonment.
"The findings of our comprehensive, thorough, and independent investigation, coupled with the Medical Examiner’s determination that Mr. Gray’s death was a homicide, has led us to believe that we have probable cause to file criminal charges,” Mosby announced in a press conference Friday morning.
“We have probable cause to file criminal charges,” the Baltimore state attorney said.
The state attorney explained that the police officers facing charges "illegally arrested" Gray, having “failed to establish probable cause for Mr. Gray's arrest.” Ms. Mosby also said that the officers mistreated Gray while in custody by putting him in handcuffs and leg restraints in the police van without also securing him with a seatbelt.
The death of Gray a week after his arrest on Apr. 12 is believed to be the result of "a severe and critical neck injury" sustained while riding in the BPD wagon unfastened at the waist.
News of Freddie Gray’s death incited riots in the city of Baltimore and demonstrations nationwide calling for police reform.
For Baltimore state attorney Marilyn Mosby's remarks, watch the video below.