Police in Baltimore say the man who died a week after suffering serious injuries while in custody was arrested without conflict or the use of force.
Freddie Gray, 25, was arrested last Sunday after police reportedly found a knife in the pocket of his pants. According to the Baltimore Sun, officer Garrett Miller said Gray was stopped because he "fled unprovoked" upon seeing police. In a statement released yesterday, attorney William "Billy" Murphy, Jr. says that Gray's spine was 80 percent severed at the neck following the incident, and that he underwent emergency surgery to save his life last Monday. He succumbed to his injuries yesterday morning.
However, court documents obtained by the Sun show that police say Gray experienced a "medical emergency" post-arrest:
The defendant was arrested without force or incident, Miller wrote. During transport to Western District via wagon transport the defendant suffered a medical emergency and was immediately transported to Shock Trauma via medic.
In addition, police say a video capturing a portion of the arrest supports their claim.
In his statement, Murphy said he and Gray's family believe police are hiding the details which reveal what happened to Gray:
We believe the police are keeping the circumstances of Freddie’s death secret until they develop a version of events that will absolve them of all responsibility. However, his family and the citizens of Baltimore deserve to know the real truth; and we will not stop until we get justice for Freddie.
According to the Sun, the officers involved in Gray's arrest have been placed on administrative duty. Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said an investigation into the incident will be handled by the State’s Attorney’s office, as well as the Baltimore Police Department.
[via Baltimore Sun]
