World

Six police officers charged over Freddie Gray death in Baltimore

Manslaughter had taken place resulting in the death of a 25-year-old African American man in police custody

Afp May 01, 2015

Baltimore state attorney Marilyn Mosby speaks on recent violence and says there is “probable cause to file criminal charges in the Freddie Gray case.” PHOTO REUTERS

WASHINGTON: Prosecutors in Baltimore on Friday charged six officers with multiple counts including second-degree murder and manslaughter in connection with the death of a 25-year-old African American man in police custody.

State prosecutor Marilyn Mosby said warrants have been issued for the arrest of the Baltimore Police Department officers over the death of Freddie Gray, which sparked days of protests and rioting in the East Coast port city.

Read: Baltimore burning

"The findings of our comprehensive, thorough and independent investigation, coupled with the medical examiner's determination that Mr. Gray's death was a homicide, which we received today, has led us to believe that we have probable cause to file criminal charges," Mosby told a press conference.

Read: Baltimore deploys National Guard troops as riots erupt

The city of Baltimore, Maryland, in the US is under a week-long curfew after a state of emergency was declared by the mayor. The action was taken as buildings burned out of control in several parts of the city. The rioters also battled the police and injured 15 of them.