The trial of Baltimore Police Officer Edward Nero, charged in the arrest of Freddie Gray, got under way this morning with opening statements inside a downtown courtroom.
Prosecutors told Baltimore Judge Barry G. Williams Thursday that Nero disregarded his police training when he chased Freddie Gray and arrested him without probable cause, and was callously indifferent to the 25-year-old man’s wellbeing when he failed to secure him in a seatbelt.
Nero, 30, was one of three bicycle officers involved in Freddie Gray’s initial detention and arrest on April 12, 2015.
Chief Deputy State’s Attorney Michael Schatzow spent about 20 minutes laying out the state’s argument during the first day of Nero’s trial. He faces assault, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office charges stemming from Gray’s arrest. He has pleaded not guilty.
Nero is the second officer to stand trial. He requested Tuesday to have a bench trial in which Williams will be the sole decider of his legal fate.
Click here to read more about the trial of Officer Nero stemming from Gray’s arrest and death.
