The judge in the trial of an officer charged in the arrest of Freddie Gray is aggressively questioning prosecutors during closing arguments, repeatedly asking them when the alleged assault occurred.
Officer Edward Nero faces assault, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment charges. The assault charge carries a maximum of ten years in prison, while the other charges have five-year maximums.
Prosecutors say Nero unlawfully arrested Gray, and was negligent when he failed to buckle the man in a police van.
Baltimore Circuit Judge Barry Williams asked prosecutors on Thursday about when the alleged assault occurred and whether every officer who makes an arrest without probable cause should be charged with a crime.
Gray died last year, a week after his neck was broken in a police van. He was handcuffed and shackled, but unrestrained by a seat belt. The department's policy is for detainees to be belted in.
The defense is now giving its closing arguments.
Judge Questions Prosecutors in Officer Edward Nero Case
official photo
