When 25-year-old Freddie Gray died while in police custody in April of this year, the city of Baltimore justifiably erupted into a wave of protests centered on the continued prevalence of widespread police brutality. Sadly, much of that same brutality was present during these protests, a predictable side effect of an unnecessarily militarized police force. In May, Baltimore City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby announced that all six officers were being charged after a medical examiner ruled Gray's death a homicide.
In the months since Mosby's announcement, various city leaders have engaged in discussions with attorneys representing Gray's family regarding a possible settlement that would include both a payout and the strictly enforced requirement that all Baltimore area police officers begin wearingbody cameras. According to the Associated Press, an agreement was reached between the two parties, with Gray's family receiving $6.4 million in the wrongful death settlement. The proposed body cameras are also expected to be implemented, a process hurried by the fact that Governor Larry Hogan has previously expressed his support of the measure.
The settlement, which was reportedly reached before Gray's attorneys actually filed suit, is expected to be discussed and made official during a Board of Estimates meeting on Wednesday. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake will be in attendance, with an announcement of some sort expected shortly after.
