Freddie Gray Trial Update, This Week In Washington, Wisconsin Congressional Candidate Interview

Air Date:
Heard On Central Time

The Democratic National Convention is in full swing, and much of the focus has been on efforts to unify the party behind Hillary Clinton. A national correspondent covers the effort and other major news from the world of National Politics. We also talk to a state congressional candidate from Wisconsin’s sixth district, and discuss the latest developments in the Freddie Gray case.

Featured in this Show

  • All Charges Dropped Against Remaining Baltimore Police Officers In Freddie Gray Case

    Prosecutors will not charge any of the remaining Baltimore police officers in the Freddie Gray trial, which puts an end to a high-profile case focused on police use of force. Our guest explains why the charges have been dropped, and how this could impact similar court cases.

  • This Week In Washington – July 27, 2016

    Harry Enten, senior political writer and analyst for FiveThirtyEight, joins Central Time for our weekly look at the most pressing issues in national politics.

  • Congressional Primary Candidate Interview: Michael Slattery

    In a continuing series of candidate interviews in the Congressional primary elections, Michael Slattery talks about his Democratic candidacy in the Sixth Congressional District, and his effort to challenge incumbent Republican Glenn Grothman.

  • All Charges Dropped Against Remaining Baltimore Police Officers In Freddie Gray Case

    Prosecutors have dropped all charges against the remaining Baltimore police officers in the Freddie Gray trial, putting an end to the high-profile case.

    In April 2015, the 25-year-old Gray died while in police custody in Baltimore, one in a series of deaths of African-American men at the hands of law enforcement.

    Six officers were originally charged in the incident after the medical examiner deemed Gray’s death from a spinal injury a homicide. Three officers had already been acquitted before Wednesday morning’s announcement.

    Members of the press knew something was awry when they didn’t see a pair of new prosecutors in court on Wednesday morning to handle the remaining charges as expected, said WYPR-TV reporter Kenneth Burns.

    The prosecutors faced a high-bar to make the charges stick, Burns said.

    “Once they started dropping charges, it became quite clear that the state’s attorney has decided to move on,” Burns said.

    Prosecutors argued that Gray died because officers didn’t put him in a seatbelt in the back of the police van, neglecting to follow procedural orders that were issued not long before the incident happened.

    “(The prosecution) applied that theory to all of these officers and the judge in each of the last three verdicts decided that they did not present any evidence to show that they were criminally liable,” Burns said. “They might have broken department policy, but as far as their intent and the criminal charges, they are not criminally responsible for many reasons.”

    The decision to drop the charges comes as tensions are high between law enforcement and the communities they serve, particularly black neighborhoods. The rhetoric at both political conventions has intensified the debate, with “Blue Lives Matter” and “Black Lives Matter” competing for the country’s most apt slogan for action.

    Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby gave a speech at a press conference Wednesday morning on those very themes.

    “The decision to prosecute six police officers was not, and has never been, an indictment on the entire Baltimore police department,” Mosby said. “Although some have tried to invalidate my family’s long-standing service as public officers, I know first hand the sacrifices, the dedication, the commitment it takes to protect and serve our communities. For those that believe I’m anti-police, it simply is not the case. I am anti-police brutality. And I need not remind you that the only loss, and the greatest loss in all of this, was that of Freddie Gray’s life.”

    The press conference took place on the block in west Baltimore where Gray was apprehended by police. Local residents from local housing projects gathered at the podium and were visibly frustrated with how the trial ended, Burns said.

    “They were happy that somebody did something in regards to holding police officers accountable,” Burns said. “But at the same time, they are disappointed that none of these officers will be punished. They feel that once again the system is rigged against everyday citizens in that part of Baltimore.”

    The overall distrust continues among Baltimore residents, particularly in the west part of the city, but many hope the new police chief and an upcoming mayoral election could help turn things around, Burns said.

    The U.S. Department of Justice is also in the final stages of a civil rights investigation reviewing the Baltimore Police Department. Burns said he expects the report to be released soon.

Episode Credits

  • Rob Ferrett Host
  • Veronica Rueckert Host
  • J. Carlisle Larsen Producer
  • Rob Ferrett Producer
  • Kenneth Burns Guest
  • Harry Enten Guest
  • Michael Slattery Guest