The remaining court cases against four Baltimore Police Department officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray came to an abrupt end July 27, and it did not take long for racists to take to Twitter.
Baltimore police walk near a mural depicting Freddie Gray after prosecutors dropped remaining charges against the three Baltimore police officers who were still awaiting trial in Gray’ death, in Baltimore, Wednesday, July 27, 2016. The decision by prosecutors comes after a judge had already acquitted three of the six officers charged in the case. (AP Photo/Steve Ruark)
Prosecutors dropped all charges against the four officers; two others have been acquitted by judges this year.
At a press conference to announce the decision to drop the charges, Marilyn Mosby, Baltimore City State’s Attorney delivered an impassioned speech expressing her thoughts on the outcome of the case.
“We do not believe that Freddie Gray killed himself,” Mosby said.
Reaction on social media was incendiary, with some arguing that justice has been served, others saying that Gray got what he deserved, and some calling Mosby an inept prosecutor.
Shortly after the news was released regarding the dropped charges, one commenter posted on Twitter, “officers did nothing CRIMINALLY wrong… Sometimes a death is not criminal #FreddieGray was a freak accident he did no part himself in avoiding; Find a better martyr,” and argued that justice was served for “wrongly charged police.”
The same commenter continued, “Justice’ is such a subjective term. Nothing criminal, only civil, and $6.4m already paid out. Sorry u didn’t get your lynching… ‘Suck to be Black in America.’ Umm, sucks to be a heroin slinging career criminal in Baltimore thrashing around in a van.”
Another Twitter user commented, “All charges dropped #FreddieGraycase a case that never should have been brought upon Baltimore’s police officers in 1st place! #TrumpPence16,” while another posted, “Per vile liar HRC these dead black thugs were innocent victims: Trayvon Martin; Mike Brown; Freddy Gray; Eric Garner #tcot #pjnet #maga.”
Alongside the racially-charged comments, others expressed shock and outrage at the acquittals.
“The death of #FreddieGray was ruled a homicide, but apparently nobody killed him…so unlawful,” one user wrote. Another said, “All charges dropped against the remaining officers in the brutal death of #FreddieGray. Infuriating,” and “How is #FreddieGray’s death ruled a homicide, yet no one is held responsible for his murder? Screwed up system.”