Baltimore police officer Caesar Goodson Jr. was acquitted in his second-degree murder trial, Circuit Judge Barry Williams announced Thursday.
Goodson, 46, was the driver of the police van in which Freddie Gray sustained the injury in what was called a “rough ride” that led to his death in April 2015. His death sparked riots in Baltimore, and led to charges against six officers.
In addition to second-degree depraved-heart murder, for which he was acquitted, Goodson was also charged with and acquitted of second-degree assault, misconduct in office, involuntary manslaughter, manslaughter by vehicles aka gross negligence, manslaughter by vehicles aka criminal negligence, and reckless endangerment.
Goodson’s trial was considered the most serious of any of the six offers charged in the death of Gray. The second-degree charge of depraved-heart murder would have carried a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.
Goodson, who is a 16-year veteran of the police force, is the third officer to stand trial in the case. He elected for a bench trial instead of a jury trial.
Prosecutors alleged Goodson not only intended to injure Gray by driving with him shackled but without a seatbelt, but that he also failed to provide Gray with what could have been life-saving medical care five times by ignoring Gray’s pleas for help from the back of the van.
Goodson’s attorney, Matthew Fraling, argued in closing arguments Monday that Gray “created the high degree of risk” by moving around in the back of the van. Goodson thus was acting reasonably, Fraling said.
As a result of the decision, Baltimore area officials said they are bracing for the possibility of protests.
In a statement, Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake asked for the community to “be patient and to allow the entire process to come to a conclusion.” Goodson still faces an administrative review by the police department Rawlings-Blake said.
All six police officers involved in the arrest of Gray, 25, were criminally charged with his death. But the acquittal of Goodson reduces the chances that any of the other officers will be charged. All six officers all pleaded not guilty.
The trial of officer William Porter ended in a hung jury and mistrial in December. Officer Edward Nero was acquitted of all four misdemeanor counts last month.
The next trial is that of Lt. Brian Rice (July 5) followed by officer Garrett Miller (July 27), Porter (Sept. 6) and Sgt. Alicia White (Oct. 13).
