April 27, 2015 is a night Baltimore police want to forget. Protests erupted throughout the city after a young African-American male, Freddie Gray, died in the hands of police custody. Reports that he was treated harshly angered citizens, who let law enforcement know how they feel by throwing rocks at them, torching cop cars and local businesses - all in the name of "justice." Wednesday, a pre-trial hearing is taking place in downtown Baltimore and police are already bracing for the worst - again.
Outside of the Baltimore court house, activists are chanting slogans and holding "Justice 4 Freddie Gray" signs. Fox5DC spoke to one demonstrator and asked why he was spending his Wednesday morning at the hearing:
"We're not going to sleep on injustice," he said. "We want justice for all the victims of police brutality."
Other activists were not so calm. Social media users at the scene are taking snapshots of protesters who are blocking traffic.
Protestors blocking Pratt St at Light. #FreddieGray pic.twitter.com/fHAmv7Y3hI
— Rob Carlson (@vees) September 2, 2015Man arrested after marching protests block traffic on Pratt St pic.twitter.com/25AiWvRzj4
— Fox 45 Photogs (@Fox45Photogs) September 2, 2015Earlier this year, Baltimore State Attorney Marilyn Mosby announced Mr. Gray's death was a homicide and that her administration would be filing criminal charges against the six police officers in question. Today's trial will focus on two particular motions: Whether Mosby is guilty of prosecutorial misconduct and the charges against the officers should be dropped, and if she and her office should be recused from the case.
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Updates to come.
Update: It looks like the criminal charges against the six police officers are staying put.
#Baltimore judge refuses to dismiss charges against 6 police officers in death of Freddie #Gray
— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 2, 2015
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