FREDDIE GRAY

Freddie Carlos Gray Jr., aged 25, suffered from many physical, behavioral, and educational issues due to his childhood exposure to elevated levels of lead in his family’s rented residence. Freddie was apprehended by Baltimore police officers on April 12, 2015, for unlawfully possessing a switchblade, The state attorney’s office clarified that the knife found on Freddie was not a switchblade, but rather a spring-assisted knife, which is permissible to possess according to Maryland legislation. However, a police task force maintained that the knife contravened Baltimore code, therefore justifying Freddie’s arrest.

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Footage captured by bystanders during Freddie’s arrest depicts him being restrained on the ground with his arms restrained behind his back in handcuffs, audibly expressing agony, as law enforcement agents are positioned atop him, The video also depicts him being forcibly pulled by law enforcement officers onto a transportation vehicle, with his legs displaying signs of debilitation, According to several witnesses, Freddie was allegedly subjected to a taser, which would explain his inability to use his legs. However, police files contradict these claims by stating that no tasers were deployed. Additional videos from different locations corroborate eyewitness testimonies of Freddie being restrained with leg shackles and forcefully thrown headfirst into the van on many occasions. The recordings also record police officers audibly pronouncing the word “jail” in a manner that spectators interpreted as a warning not to intervene. The final report on the conclusion of Freddie’s case did not contain any witness statements. However, witnesses were astonishingly portrayed through mugshots, criminal backgrounds, and concise annotations from investigators.

Freddie was never adequately restrained in the transport vehicle, which contravenes the rules of the Baltimore police department. There are claims that the driver deliberately made abrupt turns, causing Freddie’s body to be tossed around without the opportunity to protect himself. The residents of Baltimore refer to it as a “turbulent journey.” This perilous behavior was extensively revealed following the demise of Freddie Gray.

Upon the arrival of the transfer van at the police station, Freddie was completely immobile and devoid of any signs of respiration. He was swiftly transported to a nearby medical facility where he passed away after remaining in a state of unconsciousness for a week. The autopsy report determined that Freddie’s death was a homicide due to a significant lesion to his spinal cord.

The arrest of Freddie Gray, which was imprudent, and his preventable death, ignited widespread protests around the country, shedding light on issues of police brutality and mishandled investigations, including allegations of police concealment. Although the autopsy determined the cause of death to be homicide, one officer’s trial ended without a verdict, three officers were found not guilty of all counts, and charges against the other two police officers were dismissed. The City of Baltimore reached a settlement agreement with the family of Freddie Gray, amounting to $6.4 million.

Freddie Carlos Gray Jr. was 25 years old and had experienced multiple medical, behavioral and educational problems as a result of exposure to high levels of lead in the family’s rental home as a child. On April 12, 2015, Baltimore police officers arrested Freddie for illegal possession of a switchblade. The state attorney’s office noted the knife recovered from Freddie was not a switchblade but instead a spring-assisted knife, which is legal to carry under Maryland law. Nevertheless, a police task force still claimed the knife violated Baltimore code, thereby supporting Freddie’s arrest.

Bystander video recordings of Freddie’s arrest show him being pinned to the ground with his arms in handcuffs behind him, screaming in pain, while police officers are on top of him. The video also shows him being dragged by police into a transport van, his legs appearing to be weak. Multiple bystanders claim Freddie was tased, explaining why he could not use his legs, but police reports deny tasers were discharged. Videos at other stops also support eyewitness accounts of Freddie having his legs shackled and being violently tossed into the van headfirst on multiple accounts. The videos also capture police uttering “jail, jail, jail,” which bystanders said were directed at them to warn them not to interfere. In the final report upon the closing of Freddie’s case, witness statements were not included. Instead, witnesses were shockingly represented by mugshots, criminal histories and brief notes by investigators.

Not once was Freddie properly secured in the transport van, which is in violation of Baltimore police department policy. Some allege that the driver intentionally took sharp turns, allowing Freddie’s body to be thrown around without the ability to brace himself. Baltimoreans call it a “rough ride.” This dangerous practice was widely exposed after Freddie Gray’s death.

When the transport van arrived at the police station, Freddie was motionless and not breathing. He was rushed to a local hospital where he died after lying in a coma for a week. The autopsy report ruled Freddie’s death a homicide as a result of severe spinal cord injury.

Freddie Gray’s injudicious arrest and avoidable death sparked national protests calling attention to police brutality and botched investigations, including claims of police cover-ups. Despite the homicide ruling in the autopsy, one officer received a mistrial, three officers were acquitted of all charges, and charges against the remaining two police officers were dropped. The City of Baltimore settled with Freddie Gray’s family for $6.4 million.