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Judge: 3 Mosby defamation lawsuits consolidated

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Posted at 2:14 PM, Aug 05, 2016
and last updated 2018-12-31 22:12:52-05

The three separate defamation cases against Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby by five of the six officers she charged in the death of Freddie Gray have now been consolidated in federal court.

Most of the claims against the state's attorney stem from the press conference she gave announcing the charges in May, 2015.

In each of the cases, the officers allege false information was used to press bogus charges causing them financial and emotional distress through the last 14 months.

It is a claim attorneys for the officers say is only buoyed now by the acquittal of three, and last week's dismissal of charges against the others.

"My clients as well as the four other officers were really put through hell. This was an incredibly difficult ordeal and they intend to proceed and I intend to pursue this matter and get them the compensation that they deserve," said attorney Michael Glass.

Glass represents Officer William Porter and Sgt. Alicia White.

Their case was filed in state court but yesterday got pulled up to the federal system and consolidated along with the complaints by Lieutenant Brian Rice and Officers Nero and Miller. Van driver Officer Caesar Goodson was the only officer who didn't file a lawsuit.

Even though defamation cases can be hard to prove, Glass and company believe their cases may be stronger together.

Attorneys for all of these officers say they indeed do want to return to the Baltimore Police Department if possible and these suits are also about clearing their names to do so.

"You're plastered all over the news and you're painted in a very bad light and it is very damaging to your reputation, it is embarrassing and it is trying...so yes, they want to clear their name,” Glass said.

The suits also name Major Sam Cogen of the Baltimore City Sheriff's Department.

ABC2 News reached out to the Baltimore State's Attorney’s Office but a representative there declined to comment.

Ms. Mosby's response to these law suits will be public by August 19, which is the deadline set by the Honorable Marvin Garbis who is now assigned to this possible consolidated trial.

Trials stemming from the death of Freddie Gray ended July 27 when prosecutors dropped all charges against the three officers who had yet to face trial.

Bench trials for officers Brian Rice, Edward Nero and Goodson ended in acquittal. Officer William Porter's first trial ended with a hung jury. 

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