I am not sure what is possessing some people who think it necessary to riot (tear up their own neighborhoods) to get the point across that they are upset with their police. The family of Mr. Gray begged for peace and restraint but the rioters did not listen to them. Not only that, but people came in to Baltimore from other cities to "protest." And reporters and free-lance journalists also arrived in Baltimore. Many of these "journalists" in fact fanned the flames of the rioting. And finally Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, the mayor of Baltimore, was believed to have ordered her police chief to allow the rioting to go on for at least one night before eventually asking the governor of Maryland to call in the national guard to quell the rioting.
Nothing was accomplished by this rioting other than a few people getting free electronics, furniture and other goods. Many things were lost including building, merchandise, and even private and government vehicles. But across the nation people were once again appalled at the actions of the mobs running unchecked through the streets of Baltimore. All for nothing.
In the end the justice system worked, as we should have trusted it to work. The preliminary report from the State Attorney's office in Maryland has ruled that Mr. Gray's death was a homicide. Now six police officers have been charged with his murder. These officers will now face either grand jury examination or indictment by information. This outcome was not unexpected, and, I believe, was not influenced in any way by all the rioting. Even at this point, it is still necessary to remember that these officers are innocent until proven guilty. And just as the justice system found reason to charge these men, they will be brought to trial if evidence warrants. At trial their guilt or innocence will be judged.
I would like to see anyone who murdered this man step up and say that he did it, but even police officers have the right not to incriminate themselves. How much agony it would save, however, if anyone guilty of a criminal offense in this case would simply confess and halt this process now. Give the Gray family rest now. But if I were in this person or persons' shoes, I do not know if I would be able to simply confess, or would I want to take a chance of a hung jury at trial. There appear to be some irregularities in the account of these incidents as related by some of the officers and that bears further examination. In the end, I hope that any one who is guilty pays for his crime, anyone who is innocent is not falsely accused of this crime, and that finally the family of Mr. Gray gets justice and a full disclosure of what happened to their loved one.
Nothing was accomplished by this rioting other than a few people getting free electronics, furniture and other goods. Many things were lost including building, merchandise, and even private and government vehicles. But across the nation people were once again appalled at the actions of the mobs running unchecked through the streets of Baltimore. All for nothing.
In the end the justice system worked, as we should have trusted it to work. The preliminary report from the State Attorney's office in Maryland has ruled that Mr. Gray's death was a homicide. Now six police officers have been charged with his murder. These officers will now face either grand jury examination or indictment by information. This outcome was not unexpected, and, I believe, was not influenced in any way by all the rioting. Even at this point, it is still necessary to remember that these officers are innocent until proven guilty. And just as the justice system found reason to charge these men, they will be brought to trial if evidence warrants. At trial their guilt or innocence will be judged.
I would like to see anyone who murdered this man step up and say that he did it, but even police officers have the right not to incriminate themselves. How much agony it would save, however, if anyone guilty of a criminal offense in this case would simply confess and halt this process now. Give the Gray family rest now. But if I were in this person or persons' shoes, I do not know if I would be able to simply confess, or would I want to take a chance of a hung jury at trial. There appear to be some irregularities in the account of these incidents as related by some of the officers and that bears further examination. In the end, I hope that any one who is guilty pays for his crime, anyone who is innocent is not falsely accused of this crime, and that finally the family of Mr. Gray gets justice and a full disclosure of what happened to their loved one.
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