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Baltimore Cop Charged in Freddie Gray Death Sues Prosecutor Who Charged Him

In the federal suit, Lt. Brian Rice claims he was falsely arrested and imprisoned, and says Baltimore's State Attorney Marilyn Mosby defamed him when she announced the charges against the six officers involved in Gray’s death last year.
Marilyn Mosby, Baltimore state's attorney, pauses while speaking during a media availability, Friday, May 1, 2015 in Baltimore. (Alex Brandon/AP Photo)

One of the police officers charged with Freddie Gray's death is suing Marilyn Mosby, Baltimore's State Attorney.

In the federal suit, Lt. Brian Rice claims he was falsely arrested and imprisoned, and says Mosby defamed him when she announced the charges against the six officers involved in Gray's death last year.

At the time, Mosby's statement was praised by Baltimore youth and civil rights activists, who were agitating for the prosecution of the officers involved.

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As she spoke, she tried to toe the line between respecting the anger of black americans and respecting law enforcement, but her words didn't sit well with everyone, and neither did the charges.

Considering the cautious approach most prosecutors take toward officer-involved deaths, her decision to press such harsh charges was shocking.

In a recent radio interview, New York Police Commissioner Bill Bratton scolded Mosby, and accused her of rushing to judgement in a bid for popularity.

Two other officers involved in Gray's death have also sued Mosby.

Sgt. Alicia White and Officer William Porter filed a joint defamation suit last month.

Related: Judge Finds Baltimore Cop Not Guilty in Charges Linked to Freddie Gray's Death

Rice faces manslaughter and other charges related to Gray's death, who was arrested for carrying what cops said was an illegal switchblade. He was shackled at his ankles, cuffed, and then placed in the back of a police wagon on his belly without a seatbelt. He died a week later from fatal spinal cord injuries.

So far, two officers have gone to trial. Jurors in the trial of Officer William Porter were unable to reach a unanimous decision, and the case ultimately ended in a mistrial. In March, a Maryland high court ruled in favor of the prosecution team and said Porter would be compelled to testify against his colleagues.

Officer Edward Nero was acquitted last month in a bench trial by Circuit Judge Barry G. Williams.

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Caesar Goodson Jr. — who drove the police wagon — decided on Monday that he also wanted to have a bench trial rather than a jury trial.

Opting for a bench trial instead of a jury trial can be risky, but Goodson, who is facing the most serious charges, could have his calculations right.

Williams will try Goodson, the same judge who already acquitted his colleague. The judge also already handed Goodson's defense team a big win when he ruled on Monday to exclude a key piece of evidence from the trial – that officers ignored Gray when he repeatedly said "I can't breathe."

Without that testimony, which was provided by one of the officers, it will be a lot harder for prosecutors to prove that Goodson knew that Gray needed medical assistance.

Goodson is the only officer among the six who has refused to provide a statement to the police.

He has entered a not guilty plea.