Baltimore: Freddie Gray

A mistrial was announced in the trial of Baltimore officers who are linked to the death of Freddie Gray, because of an undecided decision of the jury. Freddie Gray, 25 -year-old African American, was arrested on April 12, 2015 by Baltimore Police officers for possessing what the police called and illegal switchblade. While Gray was being transported by police officers in a van he fell into a coma and was taken to a trauma center. It's unclear whether or not the state will pursue a retrial of the cop, William Porter. Porter faced charges, such as second-degree assault, involuntary manslaughter, misconduct in office charges and reckless endangerment, and so has the other five officers connected to Gray's death.

Gray died from a severe spinal injury while in custody after being arrested by police. Officer Porter failed to get medical help for Gray as a transportation vehicle carrying Gray made several stops in Baltimore after picking him up on the way to the station. The city of Baltimore is on edge as Gray's death prompted protests and riots across the city and a temporary state of emergency was put into effect. 

"I know that many of my neighbors have been following this trial closely, and many may be disappointed by today's outcome. Each of us will continue to struggle with the very raw, very real emotions the death of Mr.Freddie Gray invokes," Congressman Elijah Cummings said. 

         Protestors for Freddie Gray's 

                           Justice 

Excessive or Reasonable ?

Eric Garner was one of the people killed by the police for resisting arrest because of selling untaxed cigarettes. Everyday their is someone selling untaxed cigarettes but Eric Garner was the the one put in handcuffs for doing it. Now mind you he suffers from a number of health problems, such as heart disease, asthma, obesity and diabetes. Garner was put in a choke hold to try and get him down for his arrest, he consistently stated that couldn't breath but still they held him. He was put in a choke hold until he died. Did officers think that a choke hold would calm someone down ? It won't because they're trying to make a way for them to breath. Garners last words were "I can't breathe", which he repeated several times. He didn't even have immediate aid to try an save him. I don't what it sounds like to you but to others it sounds like an excessive arrest.

Michael Brown was also a victim killed by police. Brown recently graduate from high school before his death, he was shot two times in the head and four times in his right arm. He was unarmed and shot six times. Officer Darren Wilson (killer of Michael Brown) stopped Brown and his friend because he thought they were suspects of a robbery that occurred earlier that day. Wilson was still in the car when he made them move over to the sidewalk. Wilson claimed Brown struck him multiple times in the face.  Even if that did happen, it wasn't necessary at all for the Officer to shoot him six times in total. Thats over kill. He used excessive force to calm Brown down. Things are seriously getting out of control.