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Verdict expected in trial for Baltimore police officer who helped arrest Freddie Gray Judge acquits Baltimore police officer who helped arrest Freddie Gray, who died in custody
(about 1 hour later)
A Maryland judge will issue the verdict on a Baltimore police officer who was charged in the April 2015 death of Freddie Gray, which sparked massive protests in the city and further galvanised the Black Lives Matter movement. A Maryland judge acquitted Baltimore police officer Edward Nero of assault and other charges in relation to the April 2015 death of Freddie Gray, who suffered a fatal spinal injury while in police custody. 
Officer Edward Nero was charged with second-degree assault, misconduct in office, and reckless endangerment and could face more than 10 years in prison if convicted. Mr Nero waived his right to a jury trial. Judge Barry Williams is expected to issue the verdict Monday.  Officer Edward Nero was charged with second-degree assault, misconduct in office, and reckless endangerment. Mr Nero waived his right to a jury trial. Judge Barry Williams issued the verdict Monday morning. 
Freddie Gray died on 19 April 2015, one week after his arrest, which prosecutors say was unjustified. Officers allegedly placed Mr Gray in the back of a police van handcuffed and shackled at his feet, but left unsecured to his seat.  Freddie Gray, 25, died on 19 April 2015, one week after his arrest, which prosecutors say was unjustified. Officers allegedly placed Mr Gray in the back of a police van handcuffed and shackled at his feet, but left unsecured to his seat. 
Defense attorneys say that it was not Mr Nero’s responsibility to fasten Mr Gray’s safety belt as we was neither the driver of the police transport van nor the arresting officer. They also argue that the BPD rule for fastening suspects inside of vehicles upon arrest is more suggestion than rule, as each situation requires the officers to use their discretion based on the circumstances, the Associated Press reports. Defense attorneys say that it was not Mr Nero’s responsibility to fasten Mr Gray’s safety belt as we was not the driver of the police transport van. They also argue that the BPD rule for fastening suspects inside of vehicles upon arrest is more suggestion than rule, as each situation requires the officers to use their discretion based on the circumstances, the Associated Press reports.
Mr Nero, 30, is the second officer to stand trial for the arrest of Freddie Gray - whose death led to more than a week of protests in the city. Officer William Porter faced manslaughter charges, but his trial ended with a hung jury. Mr Porter will receive a retrial in September.Mr Nero, 30, is the second officer to stand trial for the arrest of Freddie Gray - whose death led to more than a week of protests in the city. Officer William Porter faced manslaughter charges, but his trial ended with a hung jury. Mr Porter will receive a retrial in September.
The City of Baltimore reached a $6.4m (£4.4m) wrongful death settlement with the Gray family in September. The settlement itself will have no bearing on the ongoing criminal trials of the officers who arrested Mr Gray. Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said that the settlement would help the city avoid a long, drawn-out civil suit. The City of Baltimore reached a $6.4m (£4.4m) wrongful death settlement with the Gray family in September. The settlement itself will have no bearing on the ongoing criminal trials of the officers who arrested Mr Gray. Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said that the settlement would help the city avoid a long, drawn-out civil suit.