Freddie Gray Trial: Officer Edward Nero Found Not Guilty Of All Charges

Baltimore police officer Edward Nero, who had been slapped with charges that accused him of "assault, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment in the death of Freddie Gray," was acquitted Monday morning.

The 30-year-old had chosen a bench trial rather than face a jury.

25-year-old Freddie Gray had died in the hospital barely one week after he was arrested by six officers on April 12, 2015. He had a fatal spinal cord injury while in police custody. His death called the attention of the public as well as the media, even as demonstrations and protests led to public riots and destruction of public property, along with the presence of the Maryland National Guard.

The public raised a hue and cry because the black was unarmed. Three of the charged officers were white and three were black.

"Whatever may be Judge Barry Williams' decision with respect to Officer Nero's role in the death of Mr. Freddie Gray, that verdict will have as much legitimacy as our society and our justice system can provide," Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummings said last week.

"I join the mothers, the fathers, the children ... of Baltimore asking not only for peace but respect for the rule of law."

Nero was the second of the six policemen who stood to trial. Earlier in December, William Porter underwent a trial that ended in a hung jury and mistrial.

The remaining officers who will go on trial include Officer Caesar Goodson Jr., who drove the van. He will go on trial on June 6. Lt. Brian Rice will be tried on July 5, Officer Garrett Miller on July 27, Officer William Porter on Sept. 6 and Sgt. Alicia White on Oct. 13.