Five police officers charged in the death of Baltimore man Freddie Gray want the U.S. Supreme Court to hear their case against the city’s top prosecutor, State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby.
As reported by the Associated Press, the appeal filed in court Thursday follows a Richmond, Virginia federal appeals court’s decision to block the lawsuit against Mosby, who announced criminal charges against the officers involved Gray’s tragic death in 2015.
Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby quickly filed charges against the officers involved in Freddie Gray’s death. None of them were ever indicted. (Photo by Alex Brandon, AP)
Gray, 25, died in police custody after suffering fatal spinal cord injuries he endured during a “rough ride” while handcuffed in the back of a police van. His death sparked days of intense nationwide protests demanding justice for the young man.
Medical examiners ruled Gray’s death a homicide, however, Mosby’s prosecutors failed to indict any of the officers charged in his death. The state’s attorney charged six officers in all but dropped the remaining cases after three of the officers on trial were acquitted.
In their complaint, the Baltimore officers accused Mosby of maliciously investigating and defaming them, as well as invading their privacy. However, an appellate court determined Mosby has “prosecutorial immunity, which shields prosecutors from being sued for actions in a case, according to Vice News.
The cops are now asking the Supreme Court to review that finding in hopes they may move forward with their lawsuit.
Mosby, who won the Democratic primary for state’s attorney in June, has defended her decision to bring charges against the six officers.
“In accordance with my oath to pursue justice over convictions, I’ve refused to allow the grandstanding of some and the hyperbole of others to diminish our resolve to seek justice on behalf of this young man,” she said shortly after announcing the dropped charges. “I was elected the prosecutor. I signed up for this, and I can take it.”
She continued, “As long as I’m the chief prosecutor for this city, I vow to you that my office and I will fight. We will fight for a fair and equitable justice system for all. So that whatever happened to Freddie Gray never happens to another person in this community again.”
