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[h=4]Baltimore police turn over Gray findings to prosecutor[/h]A prisoner sharing a police van with Freddie Gray the night he did of spinal injuries purportedly while in police custody told investigators that Gray was :banging against wall" inside the vehicle.
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'The Washington Post' reports a police document says Freddie Gray was "banging against walls" inside the police wagon after his arrest, a period when Baltimore police officials contend he must have sustained his fatal spinal injury.
Police in riot gear line up near the scene of Monday's riots ahead of a 10 p.m. curfew April 29, 2015, in Baltimore.(Photo: David Goldman, AP)
The Baltimore Police Department, acting a day ahead of schedule, turned over to the state's attorney Thursday its investigative findings into the death of Freddie Gray, but will not immediately release the material to the public, Police Commissioner Anthony Batts said.
The state's attorney will determine whether charges will be brought against any of the six suspended police officers involved in Gray's arrest. No timetable has been set for that decision.
The latest development comes amid a disputed allegation that a prisoner sharing a police van with Gray, who died of spinal injuries while in police custody, heard him intentionally trying to injure himself.
The death of the 25-year-old black male one week after his arrest has sparked almost two weeks of protests that turned violent on Monday, prompting the governor to call out the National Guard.
Batts told reporters that despite turning over the department's file on the Gray case to state prosecutors, police were treating it as an "active investigation" and would be following new leads whenever possible.
He said 30 officers worked around the clock to complete its work because of his "sense of urgency" regarding the case.
"Family and community deserve transparency and truth," he said, although the material was not immediately being made public. He said State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby is "committed to seeing justice."
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake that after the State's Attorney completes her criminal investigation, an "internal disciplinary" police department process can begin. She also noted that the U.S. Department of Justice is undertaking its own independent inquiry.
"The family of Mr. Gray wants answers. I want answers. Our entire city deserves answers into Mr. Gray's death," the mayor said. "I ask that everyone remain patient and vigilant on this path to justice."
The State's Attorney's Office confirmed it had received hardcopies of the file, but said the information was not new to prosecutors are conducting their own probe and have also been briefed regularly by police on the case.
"While we have and will continue to leverage the information received by the Department, we are not relying solely on their findings but rather the facts that we have gathered and verified," Mosby said in a statement.. We ask for the public to remain patient and peaceful and to trust the process of the justice system."
Jamal Bryant, pastor of Empowerment Temple in Baltimore, called police "shameful" for telling the public about the report's release date but not giving residents anymore details about Gray's death.
"It's a contrived, botched public relations campaign from the police department trying to save themselves, their brand and rewrite the narrative," Bryant said. "It's insulting to the intelligence of the citizens of this city."
He also said explanations for not releasing the reports were "malarkey" and that officials are unjustly "cherry-picking" information that they want. "It's going to make our job a lot harder to speak for calm for the city," he said.
Lifelong Baltimore resident Heber Brown, 34, said police releasing the report a day early shows the power and pressure of the protests that have swelled across the city.
"The police were really hoping this would go away and that people just would forget about it," Brown, pastor of Pleasant Hope Baptist Church, said. "We have forced the police to do what they didn't want to do — to submit a report in a timely way and to get on the right track of having some sort of resolution around what happens to these officers."
Brown, a member of activist group Baltimore United for Change, added that it shouldn't have taken "organized people marching in the streets to get a report." Now though, he and many others are frustrated that the public won't be learning the details of the police investigation anytime soon.
"The dispute over a prisoner's alleged recollection of what occurred the night Gray was arrested underscored the pressure for disclosure surrounding the events.
The statement from the unidentified prisoner was contained in an application for a search warrant,The Washington Post reported Thursday. The warrant has been sealed by the court, but the Post said it had obtained the documents under the condition that the prisoner not be named.
The newspaper noted that the prisoner, although sharing the police van, was separated from Gray by a metal partition and could not see him.
According to the document, the prisoner told investigators that Gray was "banging against walls" inside the vehicle and was "intentionally trying to injure himself."
WBAL-TV, however, reports that its investigation showed no evidence to support the second prisoner's claim.
Investigative reporter Jane Miller told MSNBC on Thursday that medical evidence — from the hospital and an autopsy — found that Gray died of a single severe spinal injury resulting from a broken neck.
Miller said the medical evidence does not support a claim that Gray had been banging his head against the van wall.
WBAL also reported that video footage shows that the second prisoner was only in the van for five minutes and that officers can be seen looking into the wide open van at the point where he was picked up.
"If there was an irate, disruptive prisoner banging his head, certainly it doesn't look in the video that they (the officers) are worried about that," Miller said.
The reporter also noted that the unidentified prisoner has a "number of years" hanging over his head and has given two different accounts of events that night.
USA TODAY
Thousands march in Baltimore, NYC over death of Freddie Gray
Gray's death touched off a series of protests that, in turn, led to violence, burning and looting Monday in Baltimore and provoked a week-long emergency nighttime curfew. The demonstrations in the two cities — directed at the Gray case and the general police treatment of blacks — saw droves of chanting protesters lining city blocks and spilling over into nearby streets.
Thousands massed outside City Hall on Wednesday to protest Gray's death and the outrage spread to New York City where another large throng gathered in Union Square. Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony Batts said 18 people were arrested Wednesday, including two juveniles. Police in New York arrested more than 60 people.
There were encouraging signs — including peaceful protests, open schools and a free concert on a sunny day — that Baltimore might be righting itself after Monday's devastating violence and chaos.
USA TODAY
Baltimore's history of mistrust: 'When police come up, everybody runs'
Six officers have been suspended with pay pending the investigation that could result in criminal charges. The latest protests took place outside Mosby's office.
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake sought to defuse a new flash point by correcting "misinformation" that a report in the case would be made public Friday.
Cheryl Stewart, spokesperson for the mayor, said the findings of the police investigation will not be made public anytime soon. The state's attorney's office will review the report and decide whether to charge anyone in Gray's death, she said.
"The misconception is that this report will be released publicly and it will not be," Stewart said. "We just want to make it clear that releasing too much information could be harmful to the investigation and to justice."
"Everybody is pinning on Friday like this is going to a big verdict or something and that's not going to happen," Stewart said. "I understand people want the details. But giving it to the public could jeopardize whether charges will be brought."
USA TODAY
Baltimore uprising not all about race: Our view
The protests, while counting in the thousands during the day, have dwindled to only small crowds at night since the city ordered a 10 p.m. curfew, bolstered by 1,000 law enforcement officers and some 2,000 National Guard troops.
"We are asking that they remain peaceful,'' Baltimore police Capt. Eric Kowalczyk said.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said he was "very encouraged'' by the relative calm.
"We're not out of the woods yet,'' Hogan said.
The Baltimore protesters also demanded a deeper look at how police treat black men in the city. Signs included "End Police Brutality Now," Justice and Equality For All" and "Stop Police Militarization Killings."
Many were students clad in sports uniforms, t-shirts and hooded sweatshirts from their colleges and high schools.
"This is an important issue," said Jillian Tse, a senior at Johns Hopkins University. "It's more just than just police brutality. I think it's systemic racism."
Contributing: John Bacon
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHRaw video: Freddie Gray protest in Baltimore | 00:28Thousands marched in protest in Baltimore Wednesday, April 29, 2015 in protest over the death of a man injured in police custody. via Instagram
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHBaltimore protester: 'It's time for a positive change' | 01:09Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Baltimore again to protest the death of Freddie Gray. VPC
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHSights and sounds from the Orioles' historically empty game | 01:25The game was closed to the public, but it went on anyone. Here are some of the sights and sounds from Wednesday's Baltimore Orioles game.
Video provided by Newsy Newsy
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHRaw: Streets Clear As Baltimore Curfew Begins | 00:55Streets in Baltimore cleared out quickly as a citywide curfew went into effect for the second straight night. (April 30) AP
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHHeartwarming scenes from the streets of Baltimore | 01:07Amid the chaos and pain moving through the streets of Baltimore, images of love and hope appear. VPC
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHWatch massive crowd march in NYC to support Baltimore | 00:42A massive crowd gathered in New York City Wednesday to protest over the death of Freddie Gray with Baltimore. VPC
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHClinton: Baltimore violence has to stop | 02:13Hillary Rodham Clinton says unrest in Baltimore shows that the nation has "allowed our criminal justice system to get out of balance" but added that the "violence has to stop." (April 29) AP
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHBaltimore mom: Teaching son 'right from wrong' | 01:10Toya Graham, the mother videotaped slapping her son and pulling him out of a riot this week, says it was very upsetting to see him there. The videotape of Graham slapping her son has been viewed worldwide. (April 30) AP
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHGray's death issue of police character more than color, activist says | 03:55USA TODAY columnist DeWayne Wickham talks to activist the Rev. Jamal Bryant about the death of Freddie Gray while in police custody.
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHBaltimore gangs 'police' community, quell violence | 01:24An unlikely coalition of gang members, pastors and community activists successfully turned away would-be trouble-makers before they even crossed the street. VPC
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHRaw: Protesters march to Baltimore City Hall | 00:59A group of protesters stretching more than a block marched from Penn Station in Baltimore to City Hall to protest Freddie Gray's death after being hurt while in police custody. (April 29) AP
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHBaltimore PD: City stable after first night of curfew | 01:14Ten people were arrested in Baltimore Tuesday after the first night of a week long curfew began. After some early "aggresive" behavior as described by police, the city is stable. Protests over Freddie Gray's death were largely peaceful Tuesday. VPC
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHBaltimore cleans the streets following previous day after riots | 01:07City of Baltimore cleans the streets following previous day of riots following the death and funeral of Freddie Gray, a 25-year old black man who died in police custody. Jack Gruber
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHDamage in Baltimore as rioters set fires, loot stores | 03:00As the sun came up in Baltimore Tuesday morning, the damage left behind by violent riots could be clearly seen. Buildings were burned and stores were destroyed. Protests started over the death of a black man, Freddie Gray, in police custody. VPC
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHBaltimore shaken by violence, destruction | 01:21Residents of Baltimore are dealing with the damage left behind by rioters who looted stores and set buildings on fire after Freddie Gray was laid to rest. Gray suffered a fatal spinal cord injury while in police custody. VPC
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHRaw: Baltimore firefighters put out blaze at looted CVS | 01:01Firefighters in Baltimore work to extinguish the flames and smoke at a looted CVS. VPC
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHVideo of Baltimore protests captured on city streets | 00:49Violence erupted in Baltimore as protesters clashed with police, throwing objects and rocks at officers. Check out these videos from social media users who captured some intense moments on the streets of the city. VPC
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHFreddie Gray's family calls for peace | 00:56The family of Freddie Gray asked people in Baltimore, Maryland to stop rioting and looting. Riots shook the city after Gray's funeral on Monday. (April 28) AP
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHReligious leaders try to quell Baltimore violence | 01:02Religious leaders gathered in their churches Monday evening to pray for those affected by the riots in Baltimore. VPC
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHMd. governor 'glad' Baltimore mayor 'finally' requested aid | 02:01Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan declared State of Emergency and activated the National Guard Monday, saying that he is glad that Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rowlings-Blake "finally" requested aid from the state. VPC
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHBaltimore mayor defends city's response to violence | 01:42Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rowlings-Blake had some harsh words for both the rioters who looted stores and set buildings on fire, as well as for media who asked her some tough questions about the city's response to violence. VPC
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHProtesters loot, set police car on fire in Baltimore | 01:02Protesters set cars on fire and looted stores as protests over the death of Baltimore's Freddie Gray turned violent. VPC
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHRaw: Looters target stores in Baltimore | 01:54Rioters in the streets of Baltimore, Maryland are looting local stores. (April 27) AP
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHBaltimore Mayor: 'Thugs' are destroying our city | 01:25Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rowlings-Blake says she is outraged that the community is being destroyed by "thugs" after demonstrations over Freddie Gray's death turned violent Monday. At least 15 Baltimore police officers were injured. VPC
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHRaw: CVS store up in flames | 01:03Cars and at least one store have been set on fire and businesses have been looted in Baltimore. The riot started just hours after the funeral for Freddie Gray, who died in police custody. (April 27) AP
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHMD Police: 'Outrageous criminals' attacked cops | 01:19Baltimore Police Department officials say a group of 'lawless individuals' attacked officers in the street. 7 officers reportedly have serious injuries and one is currently unconscious. (April 27) AP
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHBaltimore protests halted during Freddie Gray's wake | 01:13A wake was held in Baltimore for Freddie Gray on Sunday. Protesters took a break from their marching, at the request of Gray's family, and many went to pay their respects. VPC
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHFreddie Gray attorney urges end to violence | 01:12The attorney for the family of Freddie Gray is calling on the community to end their focus on violence in the wake of Gray's death. Gray suffered a fatal spinal injury while in police custody. (April 27) AP
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHMourners honor life of Freddie Gray at funeral | 02:11Thousands of mourners turned out for the funeral of Freddie Gray who suffered from a fatal spinal injury while in police custody. (April 27) AP
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHBaltimore mayor: 'This is our city' | 01:21Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake called on protesters Sunday to remain peaceful, a day after 34 people were arrested and six police officers sustained minor injuries in clashes over the death of Freddie Gray. (April 26) AP
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHViolence erupts during freddie gray protests | 01:29Baltimore officials say outside "agitators" triggered some violent incidents that erupted during a mostly peaceful protest Saturday against the death of Freddie Gray. At least five police officers were injured and 34 people arrested. (April 26) AP
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHFreddie Gray protest turns violent in Baltimore | 01:57Windows were smashed, police were pelted with bottles, and several protesters were arrested as a peaceful rally unraveled in Baltimore. Demonstrators were demanding justice for Freddie Gray, who was fatally injured in police custody. VPC
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHThousands protest death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore | 02:07Protesters took to the streets of Baltimore on Saturday to express their outrage over the death of Freddie Gray. They marched one day after the Baltimore Police Department acknowledged that it failed to get Gray the necessary medical attention. VPC
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHCrowds gather for Baltimore protest | 00:58A crowd gathered in Baltimore's Sandtown neighborhood Saturday in advance of a bigger protest at City Hall. Demonstrators are protesting the death of an African-American who was fatally injured while in police custody. (April 25) AP
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHMayor: Freddie Gray's death 'horribly tragic' | 01:10Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake vows to get to the bottom of the cause of Baltimore resident Freddie Gray's death, who was critically injured while in police custody. (April 24) AP
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHFreddie Gray protesters arrested in Baltimore | 01:41Demonstrators took to the streets of Baltimore for a fifth day on Thursday to express their outrage over the death of Freddie Gray. Clashes between protesters and police ended with two arrests. VPC
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHProtestors march through Baltimore streets | 01:03Demonstrators marched around Baltimore's city hall and onto city streets on Thursday protesting the death of Freddie Gray, a black man who died of a mysterious spinal injury he suffered after he was arrested by Baltimore police. (April 23) AP
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHProtests heat up as hundreds rally for Freddie Gray | 00:56Hundreds of protesters continue to march in Baltimore and tensions with police are boiling up as protesters demand answers in the death of Freddie Gray. VPC
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHFreddie Gray protester: 'Not an event, it's a movement' | 01:12Hundreds of protesters gathered in downtown Baltimore to protest the death of Freddie Gray who died of a severe spinal cord injury after police arrested him. VPC
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHTension heats up in Maryland after Freddie Gray's death | 01:17More protests are taking place in Baltimore as supporters of Freddie Gray pressed their demand for justice, and an explanation of how and why he died while in police custody. VPC
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHRaw: Protesters demand justice for Maryland man | 01:32Demonstrators who launched a week of protests to demand justice for a Baltimore man who died from a spinal injury he suffered while in police custody took to the streets Wednesday. (April 22) AP
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHFreddie Gray's death sparks outrage, investigation | 01:21As demonstrators called for justice for Freddie Gray, Baltimore's mayor promised that the city would get answers to questions of how and why the 25-year-old suffered a fatal spinal injury while in police custody. VPC
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHRaw: MD rally held as probe is announced | 01:23The Justice Dept. said Tuesday it has opened an investigation into the death of a Freddie Gray, who died of spinal injuries he suffered during an arrest. This comes as rally is held for a call for justice. (April 21) AP
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHBaltimore police: No answers in Freddie Gray death | 01:53Six Baltimore police officers have been suspended amid the ongoing investigation into the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray.
Video provided by Newsy Newslook
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHWitness said he heard Freddie Gray scream during arrest | 01:12Baltimore resident Harold Perry said he witnessed police officers arrest Freddie Gray and heard his cries for help. Gray died while in police custody of a severe spinal injury. VPC
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHPolice: still don't know how suspect died | 01:53Baltimore police released videos Monday showing the arrest of a man who died of a severe spinal injury suffered in police custody. Six officers have been suspended, but investigators say they still don't know how it happened. (April 20) AP
BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATHWhat happened while Freddie Gray was in police custody? | 01:46Freddie Gray died Sunday, one week after an encounter with Baltimore police.
Video provided by Newsy Newsy
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