We begin with a look at the Baltimore Police Department's trial board hearing that's considering, in the first of three administrative proceedings, whether disciplinary action should be taken against Officer Cesar Goodson, Jr., one of six officers indicted in the arrest and death of Freddie Gray in 2015. He drove the van that transported Mr. Gray. Goodson was acquitted of the charges, including one for second-degree "depraved heart" murder, brought against him by State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby. But last week and again today (Monday), he sat before a three-member panel engaged by the Police Department to determine whether or not his actions merit disciplinary action.
Of the six police officers originally charged in the Freddie Gray case, just three face trial board hearings: Goodson, Lt. Brian Rice (tried and acquitted) and Sgt. Alicia White (charges dropped). Trial boards for Rice and White are expected to begin, respectively, later this month and sometime in December. Officers Garrett Miller (charges dropped) and Edward Nero (tried and acquitted) chose to receive one-week suspensions rather than face the trial boards. A sixth officer involved in the Freddie Gray case, William Porter (charges dropped), faces no discipline.
David Jaros is on the faculty of the University of Baltimore Law School. Debbie Hines is an attorney in private practice in Washington. They both paid very close attention to Officer Goodson’s criminal trial last year. They join Tom in the studio to talk about what the trial board hearings say about the ability of the Baltimore Police department to police itself, and whether these disciplinary proceedings can restore community trust in the force.
