Judge Barry Williams declared Officer Edward Nero not guilty on all charges in the Freddie Gray case.
This is the first verdict in any of the cases surrounding the death of Freddie Gray.
Betsy Kirk's sketch of #Nero as Judge Williams read #NotGuilty @ end of explanation. Nero in tears over acquittal pic.twitter.com/3XqzwhV0yF
— Brian Kuebler (@BrianfromABC2) May 23, 2016
LIVE UPDATES: Trial of Officer Edward Nero in Freddie Gray case
#BREAKING #NeroTrial #Nero #NotGuilty on all charges. #FreddieGray
— Brian Kuebler (@BrianfromABC2) May 23, 2016
Officer Nero, one of six officers charged in Gray’s death, faced assault, two counts of misconduct in office and reckless endangerment charges. He opted for a trial before a judge.
The Baltimore City Fraternal Order of Police issued a statement Monday following the verdict, saying they are "relieved that for him, this nightmare is nearing an end."
Statement regarding acquittal of BPD Officer Edward Nero pic.twitter.com/JK4RGXavKE
— Baltimore City FOP (@FOP3) May 23, 2016
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake issued a statement saying Officer Nero will next face an administration review by the Baltimore City Police Department. She urged "citizens to be patient and to allow the entire process to come to a conclusion."
My statement on the judge's decision in the criminal trial of officer Nero pic.twitter.com/2clErkU0YF
— Mayor Rawlings-Blake (@MayorSRB) May 23, 2016
Baltimore City Police tweeted Monday that while Officer Nero's criminal case has concluded, an internal investigation will continue. Nero will remain on administrative duty during the investigation, police said, which isn't expected to wrap up until the other five officers have been tried.
Statement on @BaltimorePolice Officer Edward Nero's status: pic.twitter.com/dg0xE4sSWc
— T.J. Smith (@TJSmithMedia) May 23, 2016
Nero, along with two other officers, arrested Gray in West Baltimore last year. He died on April 19, a week after his neck was broken while handcuffed and shackled, but not seat-belted, into the back of a police van.
Complete Freddie Gray coverage
The next trial in the case is scheduled for June 6 with Officer Caesar Goodson, the driver of the police van.
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