BALTIMORE (AP) - Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan says he doesn't see the point of moving forward with charges against three officers in the death of a black man who was fatally injured in the back of a police van, now that three other officers have been acquitted.
Matt Clark, a Hogan spokesman, said the governor responded to a question after the acquittal of Lt. Brian Rice on Monday. The Washington Post reported Hogan said: "It's a waste of time and money," adding "but that's up to the court system to decide."
Baltimore Circuit Court Judge Barry Williams acquitted Rice in a bench trial. Williams also has acquitted Officers Edward Nero and Caesar Goodson in separate bench trials. Officer William Porter's trial ended in a hung jury in December.
Williams cleared Rice of manslaughter, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment charges, telling prosecutors they failed to establish that Rice was aware of his duty to buckle Gray into a seat belt, and more importantly, that he deliberately breached his duty in order to put Gray in danger.
Officer Garrett Miller is scheduled to go on trial next week in the death of Freddie Gray.
