PROVIDED BY CNNNEXT.COMrnBut prosecutors failed to convict four officers who were tried in separate trials earlier this year.
All three officers who were acquitted opted for a bench trial instead of a jury trial, meaning Baltimore Circuit Court Judge Barry Williams decided the outcome of the trials.
rnOfficer Edward Nero was found not guilty of all charges in May.
Officer Caesar Goodson, who faced the most serious charge of second-degree depraved heart murder, was also found not guilty earlier this summer.
And Lieutenant Brian Rice, the highest-ranking officer involved with the case, was cleared of all charges just two weeks ago.
rnOfficer William Porter stood trial first and had chosen a jury trial.
His trial ended in a mistrial last December.
rnAll of the officers involved in the case had pleaded not guilty.
rnProsecutors failed to prove in court that Nero, Goodson and Rice acted in a grossly negligent manner and that they were aware of the risks to Gray and acted unreasonably.
rnThey were also unable to prove that the officers "corruptly" failed to carry out an act required of them.
Throughout the trials, prosecutors tried honing in on each officer's experience and training, suggesting that they should have known the consequences of failing to secure a shackled prisoner without a seat belt.
rnWilliams was oftentimes incredulous throughout the officers' trials, determining that prosecutors failed to bring any credible evidence into court that could prove that criminal wrongdoing had occurred when Gray was arrested and placed into the back of a police transport van.
rnDuring Nero's case in May, Williams grilled prosecutors during closing arguments -- questioning whether a crime was in fact committed.
rn“So, every time there’s an arrest without probable justification – it is a crime?” Williams asked.
“I’m trying to make sure it was a criminal assault.
Touching Freddie Gray is assault?”
rn“We believe that the search and arrest without justification are assault, your honor,” Deputy State’s Attorney Janice Bledsoe responded.
“There’s no question about that.”
rnMosby said despite the acquittals from Williams, "We must respect the verdict rendered by the judge," and that her goal all along was to "always seek justice over convictions
