A lawyer for six Baltimore police officers says they “did nothing wrong”, after criminal charges were announced against them in the case of Freddie Gray who died in police custody.
Lawyer Michael Davey said the officers “at all times acted reasonably and in accordance with their training”.
Baltimore state prosecutor Marilyn Mosby earlier said the death of the 25-year-old black man was a homicide and his arrest had been illegal.
Gray’s death sparked violent protests.
But after the charges were announced on Friday afternoon, celebrations broke out across Baltimore. Drivers honked their car horns as people took to the streets with fists raised in triumph.
“These charges are an important step in getting justice for Freddie,” said Gray’s stepfather Richard Shipley.
The spontaneous street celebrations turned into a small protest march in the evening, calling for an amnesty for those detained after Monday’s rioting.
Police said that 53 people were detained on Friday, some for breaking the 22:00 curfew which is still in force in the city.
‘Grave concerns’
Speaking to reporters, Mr Davey accused Ms Mosby of an “egregious rush to judgement”.
“As all of the facts surrounding this case come out in the appropriate form, the officers’ lack of wrongdoing will be made abundantly clear.”
Source: BBC News
