Try to understand something here. These are charges, not a conviction. Moreover, like in the Rodney King case, the prosecutor overcharged the officers, in this case 2nd Degree Murder. There is no way they can pass the "depraved heart" test, because as of now, they cannot prove the officers acted with extreme indifference to the value of human life, as described in the Model Penal Code § 210.2(1)(b). In my opinion, the reader should be prepared for an acquittal on that charge.
What gets me here is that it only took Baltimore's State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby two weeks to pass down an indictment. Usually investigations take far longer than just two weeks. Given the riots that occurred in Baltimore, I believe it was a rushed indictment, to avoid further unrest and violence.
Now, for those of you old enough to remember, if you'll recall your history, in the Rodney King case the prosecutor overcharged the four officers involved in brutally beating King (it is common knowledge that prosecutors will instinctively overcharge the defendant with the highest allowable offense in the indictment). The prosecutors placed too much confidence in the video evidence (coincidentally, that may also be the case here as well). Thusly when the trial in Simi Valley concluded, Officer Powell, the main defendant in the trial, was acquitted along with the three others involved in the incident. Hours later, Los Angeles had descended into anarchic chaos.
Mosby's comments at the latter end of her announcement appeared to be political, and will allow the defense to pressure for a change in venue for the eventual trial. Like I said in opening, the 2nd Degree murder charge is too harsh. She is basically saying those officers intentionally and maliciously murdered Gray, which ironically, would suit the narrative surrounding this case. It will be interesting to know what evidence there will be (other than the Medical Examiner's report) to support this allegation.
What gets me here is that it only took Baltimore's State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby two weeks to pass down an indictment. Usually investigations take far longer than just two weeks. Given the riots that occurred in Baltimore, I believe it was a rushed indictment, to avoid further unrest and violence.
Now, for those of you old enough to remember, if you'll recall your history, in the Rodney King case the prosecutor overcharged the four officers involved in brutally beating King (it is common knowledge that prosecutors will instinctively overcharge the defendant with the highest allowable offense in the indictment). The prosecutors placed too much confidence in the video evidence (coincidentally, that may also be the case here as well). Thusly when the trial in Simi Valley concluded, Officer Powell, the main defendant in the trial, was acquitted along with the three others involved in the incident. Hours later, Los Angeles had descended into anarchic chaos.
Mosby's comments at the latter end of her announcement appeared to be political, and will allow the defense to pressure for a change in venue for the eventual trial. Like I said in opening, the 2nd Degree murder charge is too harsh. She is basically saying those officers intentionally and maliciously murdered Gray, which ironically, would suit the narrative surrounding this case. It will be interesting to know what evidence there will be (other than the Medical Examiner's report) to support this allegation.
Last edited:
