Prosecutors said Fred Curry was a drug dealer; his attorneys argued he was hard-working city employee framed by police for making a video showing a controversial arrest.
But a Baltimore City jury found Curry guilty in August, and Judge Albert Matricciani on Wednesday sentenced the 36-year-old Baltimore resident to 10 years in prison without the possibility of parole for possession and conspiracy to distribute cocaine. The judge said he would consider modifying the sentence after Curry serves 18 months.
“He belongs in a treatment facility, not behind bars,” said Curry?s attorney, Granville Templeton.
But Margaret Burns, spokeswoman for the City State?s Attorney?s office, said the sentence was fair.
“We are very pleased with the judge?s sentence today, it as appropriate given Mr. Curry?s past criminal history,” she said, citing a 1991 conviction for robbery.
Curry?s first trial ended in a hung jury after Templeton argued the charges were retaliation for a video Curry made of the arrest of his cousin, Glenn Curry.
The controversial video, which shows Glenn Curry being thrown to the ground and punched while in handcuffs, led to an investigation of the arrest by the Baltimore Police Department. The officer was eventually cleared of any wrongdoing after a trial board hearing.
Officers admitted under oath at Curry?s first trial they were aware of the video, but testified it had nothing to do with his arrest.
But in Curry?s second trial, Matricciani barred Templeton from mentioning the video during cross-examination and final arguments, and issued a gag order on the proceeding.
Prosecutors said Fred Curry was spotted by police in the vicinity of a stash of 30 vials of cocaine, and was seen holding a knotted black plastic bag.
Templeton said testimony from Curry?s employer and family would help his client.
“His employers thought very highly off him,” he said. “I think the judge saw that.”
