I just watched the entire, stunning press conference of Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby absolutely throwing the book at six police officers for the "murder" (as she called it) of Freddie Gray.
My heart is pounding from excitement. That was about the most impressive public statement I've ever heard!
There was a diary yesterday, as I recall, where some were speculating that the fix was in since Mosby comes from a family of police officers. I hope they're ashamed of themselves.
In today's announcement, Ms. Mosby mentioned that she comes from five generations of police officers, including her mother, her father, aunts and uncles, and her beloved grandfather, who she said was a founder of the first black police association in Massachusetts. Obviously she came from a line of good cops. This one major action today is enough to significantly change my general view of police.
Ms. Mosby is only 35, and I think she looks younger than that. But she is an incredibly clear and courageous speaker. She has only been in office for a few months, and she is the youngest chief prosecutor for any American city.
Her action today takes immense moral and political and even physical courage!
I think she would make an excellent President of the United States, and I hope she has such ambitions.
One comment on the announcement: I still find it hard to believe that Mr. Gray's injuries were all suffered in the van. The video seemed to show him staggering as he was being dragged to the van. I can't imagine how bouncing around in a van can crush a larynx. I've been assuming he must have been kneed in the throat.
So many charges were filed against so many officers that maybe one or more will flip and more of the story will emerge.
I was especially happy to hear her clearly say that Mr. Gray had committed no crime and was illegally arrested in the first place. Most of the officers were charged with False Imprisonment, which is a common law Felony in Maryland.
Also astonishing is Ms. Mosby's speed! She only got the police report yesterday. Usually you'd expect an announcement that they were investigating, which could go on for months. But she was running a very aggressive independent investigation and acted immediately. Wow! We need more public officials like this!
UPDATE Here's a good profile on her: http://www.cnn.com/...