By Erik Zygmont
ezygmont@CatholicReview.org
Twitter @ReviewErik
Peace events planned for May 3 will follow an announcement by Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby that all six officers involved in the arrest and detainment of 25-year-old Freddie Gray will face criminal charges.
On May 1, Mosby said at a morning press conference that members of the Baltimore City Police Department were responsible for Gray’s April 19 death, and that there was no cause to arrest Gray on April 12, the date his injuries reportedly occurred.
Officer Caesar Goodson, 45, a 16-year veteran of the police department, is charged with second degree depraved heart murder, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years.
Goodson was the driver of the police transport van in which Gray was fatally injured, Mosby said, adding that officers neither responded to Gray’s appeals for a medic nor called for medical assistance when Gray was found unresponsive in the back of the van.
Other officers involved in Gray’s arrest or transport, including Sergeant Alicia White, Lieutenant Brian Rice and Officer William Porter face manslaughter charges. Officer Garrett Miller and Officer Edward Miller face assault charges. All involved face misconduct in office charges.
Mosby appealed to residents to remain peaceful.
“Your peace is sincerely needed as I work to deliver justice on behalf of this young man,” she said.
Archbishop William E. Lori has asked all Catholic parishes in the Archdiocese of Baltimore to designate their primary Sunday morning Mass one for peace and justice in Baltimore and to offer a special prayer created by the archdiocese for peace in the city.
Archbishop Lori will celebrate the 10:45 a.m. Mass May 3 at St. Peter Claver in West Baltimore, not far from where Gray was arrested April 12. At 3 p.m. May 3 at War Memorial Plaza at City Hall, the archdiocese will have a presence at a peaceful demonstration of people of all faith traditions.
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