Freddie Gray arresting officer Nero found not guilty
The charges were second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and two counts of misconduct in office:
WJZ’s Ron Matz says the trial was attended by a group of Baltimore City police officers, most in plain clothes. After the verdict was read, they came up to Nero one by one, embracing him and patting him on the back. Nero was seen with tears in his eyes.
On the other hand, there was predictable fury from those who have been on the protest lines:
According to WJZ’s Mike Schuh, who was outside the courthouse, there was a huge “roar of disapproval” that came from the protesters outside.
One of the people leading the charge is Rev. Wesley West.
“I’m angry because this is what we deal with, and when I say ”˜we,’ we’re talking about the black community and I’m a part of and represent that community as well, it seems like we have no voice when it comes to these issues,” he said. “When it comes to conversations like this, we’re not involved. This should have been a jury trial where the community had a voice in this case.
I assume that the Rev. West is against a defendant having a choice between a judge and a jury trial? I bet not—not in all cases, just in the ones he’d like to see tried by jury. And I also bet that, if Nero had chosen a jury and the jury had acquitted him, Rev. West would have been denouncing the jury system or the jurors, who (whatever their race or other demographic characteristics) would have been found by West to have not represented “the community.”
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said the right thing, however (which is somewhat of a surprise, given her history; see this and this, for example):
Today Judge Barry G. Williams found Officer Edward Nero not guilty of all criminal charges. This is our American system of justice and police officers must be afforded the same justice system as every other citizen in this city, state, and country. Now that the criminal case has come to an end, Officer Nero will face an administrative review by the Police Department. We once again ask the citizens to be patient and to allow the entire process to come to a conclusion. In the case of any disturbance in the city, we are prepared to respond. We will protect our neighborhoods, our businesses and the people of our city.
I’ve not seen any articles reporting on the verdict that mention this, but I note that the presiding judge in the case is a black man. To me this seems like a great advantage, at least potentially, in placating the rage. Of course, if he doesn’t find some of the other defendants guilty in later trials, to some people it will make no difference what race Williams belongs to and they will be fighting mad. In addition, other defendants may end up preferring a jury for one reason or another. Each person’s case is different and some are stronger than others (although IMHO they are all weak), with Officer Nero’s case being one of the very weakest of all.
[NOTE: Legal Insurrection has had excellent and thorough coverage of the case from attorney Andrew Branca. You can read today’s analysis from Branca here.]
The Afro-fascists of the BLM movement care nothing for facts, evidence, reason or logic and are unlikely to accept this as anything other than a manifestation of the “racism” in the criminal justice system.
I am sure that BLM will not be placated by this verdict. I concur with j e above. But I would hope that good people everywhere will see that justice is done and let this rest. I most likely am hoping for too much.
Where “the community has a voice.” I shudder to think what that means. Rev West should reflect on how dangerous it has been for black people when “the community has a voice.” The rule of law seems to have worked out better for them.
There are people with personality disorders (mostly Cluster B, for those scoring at home) who insist “no one is listening to me.” Attempts to engage them, listen to them, explain to them, or negotiate with them founder because they cannot separate the ideas “listening to me” and “agreeing with me.” Until you agree, they are sure you just must not be listening, because they cannot see things any other way. Something similar seems to be in play here.
“Where “the community has a voice.” I shudder to think what that means.” (AVI above).
I think it is the new euphemism for what we used to call “lynch law”.
The race card, in this instance, has not trumped (pun intended) the rule of law. Baltimore gave Grey’s family 6 million to avoid a civil suit. Perhaps that will placate the mob, or perhaps not.
Fact is the majority of blacks are and have been racialist (as distinguished from “racist”, which is linked to superiority) forever, and it is not getting better. I think they are shifting to racism; they are superior. For a small minority of Americans, they are now in most TV commercials. Biracial couples are shown. None of the commercial actors have West African features; they’re all of East African mold, like the Great Obama.
Anyone else notice that when the Lynch mob screams “No Justice! No Peace!” they literally mean what they say?
The judge is not, by the standards of the community, “Black”. If he applies the law fairly, he is not “Black” – a “Black” judge must have at least 2 thumbs on the Scales of Justice, to nudge the verdict in the direction that the community wants.