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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Freddie Gray death: Police officer Brian Rice acquitted | Freddie Gray death: Police officer Brian Rice acquitted |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The highest-ranked Baltimore police officer charged in connection with the custody death of Freddie Gray has been acquitted on all charges. | The highest-ranked Baltimore police officer charged in connection with the custody death of Freddie Gray has been acquitted on all charges. |
| A judge ruled that prosecutors failed to prove the charges of involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office against Lieutenant Brian Rice. | A judge ruled that prosecutors failed to prove the charges of involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office against Lieutenant Brian Rice. |
| Lawyers had argued Lt Rice caused Gray's death by failing to secure his seatbelt inside the police van. | Lawyers had argued Lt Rice caused Gray's death by failing to secure his seatbelt inside the police van. |
| Gray died from a spinal cord injury. | Gray died from a spinal cord injury. |
| The death sparked days of protests and rioting throughout Baltimore, and prosecutors announced charges against six officers. | The death sparked days of protests and rioting throughout Baltimore, and prosecutors announced charges against six officers. |
| Two officers have so far been acquitted, with three more trials expected. | Two officers have so far been acquitted, with three more trials expected. |
| Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake thanked the community for their patience and asked for "continued respect for the judicial process as we move forward". | |
| Prosecutors had argued that Mr Rice's actions were intentional and "put together formed a chain" of events that led to Gray's death. | |
| Judge Barry Williams ruled that the prosecutors could not prove that Mr Rice had displayed evil intent rather than making a mistake during a chaotic arrest. | |
| "A mere error in judgment is not enough to show corruption," Judge Williams said in a statement that he read to the court. | |
| This is the fourth time that Baltimore prosecutors have failed to secure a conviction. | |
| The next trial is scheduled to begin on 27 July. |