Police Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Prosecution's Case Against Freddie Gray Officers Falling Apart After Goodson Acquittal

With two Baltimore officers now acquitted in the death of Freddie Gray, including Officer Caesar Goodson, the only one charged with murder, state’s attorney Marilyn Mosby faces the difficult choice of whether to proceed with four more trials.

June 23, 2016
3 min to read


With two Baltimore officers now acquitted in the death of Freddie Gray, including Officer Caesar Goodson, the only one charged with murder, state’s attorney Marilyn Mosby faces the difficult choice of whether to proceed with four more trials.

Her decision almost certainly has to be “no,” and the criticism that she rushed to charge the six officers without sufficient evidence, if only to limit the growing civil unrest in Baltimore, now looks like a valid one.

Ad Loading...

Mosby, 36, had been state’s attorney for only four months when she held a press conference on the day she filed charges against the officers, and she admitted there was an extra component to her decision. “To the people of Baltimore and the demonstrators across America, I heard your call for ‘No justice, no peace,’ ” Mosby said in a nationally broadcast statement on May 1, 2015, less than two weeks after Gray died on April 19. “Your peace is sincerely needed as I work to deliver justice on behalf of this young man.” Five of the officers have since sued Mosby for defamation.

“What the state’s attorney promised everybody last May,” said Jeremy Eldridge, a former assistant state’s attorney now in private practice, “it’s pretty much clear it’s unsubstantiated and it’s an outright lie. This is a culmination of all three trials and the judge finally being able to be straightforward about the evidence,” she told the Washington Post

“They need to cut their losses,” said Tyler Mann, another former Baltimore prosecutor now in private practice, “and say, ‘We gave it our best shot and it’s just not there…This judge is saying, ‘You don’t have it,’ and the undertone is, ‘You don’t have it and you have to realize you don’t have it.'”

The Baltimore Fraternal Order of Police is calling for Mosby to drop all charges against the other officers who are being prosecuted for actions involving Gray.

Lt. Gene Ryan spoke on behalf of the FOP Thursday afternoon, WJZ TV reports.

Ad Loading...

“We are very pleased and extremely grateful that Judge Williams has found Officer Caesar Goodson not guilty on all charges,” Ryan said.

“As anticipated, the facts of this case speak for themselves. Officer Goodson was not at fault. While we agree with the verdict in this case against Officer Goodson, we also suggest that Mrs. Mosby reconsider her malicious prosecution against the remaining four officers. We are more than certain that they, too, will be found to be without guilt. To continue this travesty is an insult to the taxpaying citizens of Baltimore who, at the end of the day, bear the full burden of the enormous costs of these trials that have no merit and continue to divide our city.”

More Patrol

Graphic titled “5 Things to Know When Buying Backup Lights” featuring a compact Streamlight flashlight attached to tactical gear. Police Law Enforcement Solutions branding appears in the lower corner against a dark, dramatic background.
PatrolMay 21, 2026

5 Things to Know When Buying Backup Lights for Patrol Use

What is the value of a backup light, and what do you need to consider when selecting one? These smaller lights are invaluable as a secondary or special-purpose light and can be easily carried in a pocket or clipped to MOLLE gear, a key chain, shirt, or a vest.

Read More →
graphic honoring fallen law enforcement officers featuring a uniformed officer holding a folded American flag, with bold text reading “2026 Roll Call of Heroes” and “363 Fallen Officers Honored,” alongside the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund logo.
PatrolMay 14, 2026

363 Fallen Officers Honored During National Police Week

In case you missed NELOMF’s annual Candlelight Vigil, here are all 363 names of the fallen officers whose names were added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial this year.

Read More →
Graphic honoring New York City Police Department officers as “Officer of the Month” for March 2026. The image features portraits of Chief Aaron Edwards and Sergeant Luis Navarro alongside department and recognition text.
PatrolMay 14, 2026

NYPD Officers Who Responded Quickly During IED Incident Recognized as NLEOMF Officers of the Month

Chief Aaron Edwards and Sgt. Luis Navarro were recognized by NLEOMF as Officers of the Month for their response during an IED incident and their actions that helped prevent harm to the public.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Infographic summarizing results from a national survey on policing reputation. Ten key findings cover public trust, communication, demographics, media influence, local policing, AI concerns, and emergency response, using charts, icons, and statistics throughout.
PatrolMay 14, 2026

National Police Survey Reveals How Americans View Policing Today

A new national survey offers a comprehensive look at how Americans view policing. The study uncovers public sentiment toward local vs. federal police, communications, crisis response, the use of AI in policing, and more.

Read More →
Product image of a Streamlight TLR-7 X tactical flashlight on a dark background. The compact black weapon-mounted light is shown in close-up beneath the Streamlight logo, highlighting its lens, controls, and mounting hardware.
PatrolMay 14, 2026

Streamlight TLR-7 X Selected as Standard Issue Pistol Light by Canadian Federal Police

The Canadian Federal Police will be adding a new duty pistol system, which will include Streamlight’s TLR-7 X and a Glock 45 MOS 7 pistol with a red dot sight.

Read More →
poeple dressed in dark clothing holding candles during a candlelight vigil.
PatrolMay 8, 2026

Fallen Law Enforcement Officers from Across the Country to be Honored During 38th Annual Candlelight Vigil on May 13th in Washington, D.C.

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) will honor 363 fallen officers who have died in the line of duty as their names are added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial during the annual Candlelight Vigil on May 13.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Black small medical bag with supplies and a tourniquet at right on a wood table and a large headline at left What Should Be In Your IFAK?
Patrolby Wayne ParhamMay 1, 2026

What Should Be in Your IFAK?

What should every officer include in an IFAK? Sydney Vail, M.D., a veteran trauma surgeon and former SWAT surgeon, explains which components are needed and which are not, and stresses training.

Read More →
flashlight turn un and submerged in puddle with rain falling.
PatrolApril 30, 2026

Olight Releases 2 New Baton Variants & the ArkPro Ultra Onyx Black

Olight has added two new lights to the Baton Series, the Baton 4 and the Baton Ultra. One new Baton features up to 1,600 lumens on turbo, and the other 1,800.

Read More →
Black tactical helmet with bright explosion behind it to the left, Team Wendy logo top right, and headline Recon Tactical Bump Helmet
PatrolApril 30, 2026

Team Wendy Reveals New RECON Tactical Bump Helmet

Team Wendy’s new RECON Tactical bump helmet is configurable by color, retention, and accessories for rescue, tactical, and military mission needs. It features Zorbium foam pads, shell vents, and lattice cooling pads that balance impact absorption, airflow, and long-wear support.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Black military style leather boot against a blue cobblestone background with a white Garmont Tactical logo.
PatrolApril 30, 2026

Garmont Tactical Introduces the T8 Specter LE Zip for LE Professionals

Garmont Tactical has a new 8-inch duty boot with a side zipper, the T8 Specter LE Zip. The boot is available now and features ankle support in a standard duty profile with polishable leather.

Read More →