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Calista241

(5,584 posts)
Wed Jul 13, 2016, 11:26 AM Jul 2016

Back pay approved for officer acquitted in Freddie Gray case

Source: Fox Baltimore

Back pay for Officer Caesar Goodson, acquitted of all charges in the Freddie Gray case, was approved by the Board of Estimates on Wednesday.

Goodson was suspended without pay after charges were announced against him and five fellow officers. He is now set to receive nearly $88,000.

Goodson was the driver of the police van on the day of Gray's arrest.

Judge Barry Williams found him not-guilty of second-degree depraved heart murder, manslaughter, second-degree assault, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment

Read more: http://foxbaltimore.com/news/local/back-pay-approved-for-officer-acquitted-in-freddie-gray-case

54 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Back pay approved for officer acquitted in Freddie Gray case (Original Post) Calista241 Jul 2016 OP
Acquittal and a payday - this guys life just keeps getting better and better. n/t CincyDem Jul 2016 #1
The backpay isn't the issue. The issue is that he was acquitted, and he should not have been still_one Jul 2016 #5
Here's some reporting/opinion on the acquittal lapucelle Jul 2016 #13
Why wasn't Freddie Gray secured in a seat belt? still_one Jul 2016 #25
The police had discretion in deciding whether or not to seat belt. lapucelle Jul 2016 #35
Can you please rush this evidence to the DA? Dreamer Tatum Jul 2016 #24
I am glad you have no problem that he wasn't secured in a seat belt, but your wise ass remarks still_one Jul 2016 #26
I'm more glad that cases with incomplete and inconclusive evidence end like this. Dreamer Tatum Jul 2016 #27
I realize that. Also, the problem I had wasn't with the back pay reinstatement. He was found not still_one Jul 2016 #37
In accordance with his contract. mahatmakanejeeves Jul 2016 #2
No, its in accordance with varies court rulings which dont allow them to legally withhold his pay. cstanleytech Jul 2016 #45
... CrispyQ Jul 2016 #3
And Freddie Gray is still dead Cal Carpenter Jul 2016 #4
Yep puffy socks Jul 2016 #50
DUers now want citizens that are acquitted to still have their lives ruined? MadDAsHell Jul 2016 #6
"what's the point of the justice system at all?" Anyone who believes "justice" has anything to do BlueCaliDem Jul 2016 #10
Do you really believe that the judge who heard the case did not apply the law properly? lapucelle Jul 2016 #15
I don't know. I'm not an attorney. BlueCaliDem Jul 2016 #36
"That does not mean however, that justice will elude Freddy Gray and Baltimore." MadDAsHell Jul 2016 #40
It means two things. lapucelle Jul 2016 #44
It will be interesting to see if Mosby appeals any of the verdicts. lapucelle Jul 2016 #41
I remember when you posted something very similar on Casey Anthony alcibiades_mystery Jul 2016 #12
Yet we all shake our heads at polls like this. lapucelle Jul 2016 #14
Crazy isn't it? NaturalHigh Jul 2016 #21
DU is killing me these days. Justice is apparently defined as "what I wanted to happen." MadDAsHell Jul 2016 #31
"If the outcome isn't what you wanted, it must not be justice right? " That isnt an issue confined cstanleytech Jul 2016 #46
no lapfog_1 Jul 2016 #52
I'm not arguing with you on any of that I was pointing out cstanleytech Jul 2016 #54
Yes. We're much more genteel about it. Igel Jul 2016 #32
I'd imagine because opinions on a message board in regards to a particular trial have few to no cons LanternWaste Jul 2016 #33
Only if they're citizens we don't agree with. ileus Jul 2016 #51
What? No million-dollar book deal? You know? To really stick it to Gray's family for messing with BlueCaliDem Jul 2016 #7
I respectfully disagree. lapucelle Jul 2016 #17
Thank you for your sane post on this matter. NaturalHigh Jul 2016 #20
remind me how many officers have actually been convicted of the killings of civilians lately? niyad Jul 2016 #28
The media has a stake in stoking certain stories because they bring ratings. lapucelle Jul 2016 #34
Oh, come on! Police Unions have powerful attorneys on retainers. They have an image to uphold (never BlueCaliDem Jul 2016 #38
I'm not defending the cops. lapucelle Jul 2016 #47
As Chris Hedges says, they keep shooting and killing with impunity. marmar Jul 2016 #8
And people wonder why this shit doesn't end. onecaliberal Jul 2016 #9
Give him a promotion, too alcibiades_mystery Jul 2016 #11
Now you can be legally paid for murder. Loki Jul 2016 #16
As it should be. The guy is legally not guilty of anything. NaturalHigh Jul 2016 #18
I've been following the cases on the Baltimore Sun's website. lapucelle Jul 2016 #19
What else should have happened? TipTok Jul 2016 #22
Not surprising seeing that he was acquitted. Its the acquittal that pisses us off nt 7962 Jul 2016 #23
Boo, hiss!!!! lark Jul 2016 #29
Why would anyone oppose backpay TeddyR Jul 2016 #30
Criminal wrongdoing. Ash_F Jul 2016 #43
Of course he did. Rex Jul 2016 #39
You have any evidence for that? XemaSab Jul 2016 #48
Why are you going to make a case out of it? Rex Jul 2016 #53
Wow some of these comments Ash_F Jul 2016 #42
Sounds like a non story...I'm sure he's late on bills, maybe he can get caught up. ileus Jul 2016 #49

still_one

(91,945 posts)
5. The backpay isn't the issue. The issue is that he was acquitted, and he should not have been
Wed Jul 13, 2016, 11:37 AM
Jul 2016

acquitted.

They killed Freddie Gray by throwing him in the back of the Van, and intentionally driving recklessly so Freddie Gray was slammed continuously against the wall of the Van. It is no different than if they beat Freddie Gray to death.



lapucelle

(18,037 posts)
35. The police had discretion in deciding whether or not to seat belt.
Wed Jul 13, 2016, 02:38 PM
Jul 2016

This case has ensured that no cop in Baltimore will ever exercise that discretion again, no matter what danger the detainee presents.

Judge William's addresses the failure to seat belt on pages 7, 8, 22, 24, 26, 30, 32-37 of his verdict. Why not read what the judge had to say concerning the State's theory of assault/manslaughter/misconduct by failure to seat belt?

http://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/2895425/Document-Verdict-in-the-trial-of-Officer-Caesar.pdf

still_one

(91,945 posts)
26. I am glad you have no problem that he wasn't secured in a seat belt, but your wise ass remarks
Wed Jul 13, 2016, 01:09 PM
Jul 2016

sure make for a good dialog

Dreamer Tatum

(10,926 posts)
27. I'm more glad that cases with incomplete and inconclusive evidence end like this.
Wed Jul 13, 2016, 01:12 PM
Jul 2016

If you have a problem, it's with the DA, not the court.

I'm sorry you don't like the outcomes.

still_one

(91,945 posts)
37. I realize that. Also, the problem I had wasn't with the back pay reinstatement. He was found not
Wed Jul 13, 2016, 03:49 PM
Jul 2016

guilty, and therefore is entitled to that backpay.

You are correct about the DA, that is where my problem should be. This wasn't comparable to the Trayvon Martin case, where there was an incompetent DA. The jury, based on their comments after that trial were not particularly stellar either.

cstanleytech

(26,080 posts)
45. No, its in accordance with varies court rulings which dont allow them to legally withhold his pay.
Wed Jul 13, 2016, 05:54 PM
Jul 2016

Oh sure they could try but when they lost (and they would since he was not found guilty) they would end up losing and probably have to pay even more than what he is currently owed.

 

puffy socks

(1,473 posts)
50. Yep
Thu Jul 14, 2016, 10:23 AM
Jul 2016

and apparently no one is to blame even after falsey arresting him for knife they hadnt any idea was in his pocket until after they chased him down and put him to the ground. Turns out it wasn't illegal. The bent backwards and screaming in pain, yet the police reports said he was taken without force or incident.
Anyone who is fine with officers like these on our forces clearly need their heads examined.

 

MadDAsHell

(2,067 posts)
6. DUers now want citizens that are acquitted to still have their lives ruined?
Wed Jul 13, 2016, 11:39 AM
Jul 2016

If we're the experts determining guilt and innocence, not the courts, and we want people's lives to be ruined regardless of their judicial outcome, then what's the point of the justice system at all?

BlueCaliDem

(15,438 posts)
10. "what's the point of the justice system at all?" Anyone who believes "justice" has anything to do
Wed Jul 13, 2016, 11:44 AM
Jul 2016

with our justice system, needs to talk to litigating attorneys who scoff at the idea, and they need to be reminded of the O.J. Simpson trial as a prime example that justice is only for those who have high-powered attorneys - or a powerful police union focused on backing them. The rest of us can go pound sand.

lapucelle

(18,037 posts)
15. Do you really believe that the judge who heard the case did not apply the law properly?
Wed Jul 13, 2016, 12:10 PM
Jul 2016

Do you really think he is somehow complicit in letting a cop get away with murder?
http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/24/us/judge-barry-williams-baltimore-trials/

Here's his 40 page verdict. What parts do you disagree with?
http://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/2895425/Document-Verdict-in-the-trial-of-Officer-Caesar.pdf

BlueCaliDem

(15,438 posts)
36. I don't know. I'm not an attorney.
Wed Jul 13, 2016, 03:39 PM
Jul 2016
Tom Nolan
NO JUSTICE 05.23.16 1:29 PM ET
[center]Why All of Freddie Gray’s Killers Will Go Free[/center]
Prosecutors are 0-2 in convictions against the six officers after Edward Nero was acquitted of four misdemeanors on Monday. Good luck with murder.

***snip***

That does not mean however, that justice will elude Freddy Gray and Baltimore. It’s just that, despite the best of intentions, Mosby and the Circuit Court for Baltimore City were never the appropriate venue for seeking accountability, responsibility, and legal culpability from Baltimore police officers and the Baltimore Police Department for their role in the police violence that led to Gray’s death.

If the interests of justice are to be met in the death of Freddie Gray and if the Baltimore Police Department and its officers are going to be held accountable for their role in Gray’s death, this can only be achieved through the intervention of the U.S. Attorney, the Department of Justice, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. To their credit, Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, the City Council president and other elected officials in Baltimore actually made an unprecedented request to the DOJ to investigate the Baltimore Police Department. In April 2015, DOJ opened investigations into Gray’s death at the hands of Baltimore police officers as well as a so-called “pattern and practice” investigation of the entire Baltimore PD. Such “pattern and practice” investigations focus on police department practices that may routinely violate citizens’ civil rights and civil liberties protections.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/05/23/why-all-of-the-freddie-gray-cops-may-walk.html


It's why I'm not a big fan of "States Rights" and have more trust in the Federal Gov't rather than State gov'ts for true justice (in so far as we can get it).
 

MadDAsHell

(2,067 posts)
40. "That does not mean however, that justice will elude Freddy Gray and Baltimore."
Wed Jul 13, 2016, 05:36 PM
Jul 2016

What exactly does this statement mean? Who gets decide what justice is? If these officers think they did no wrong, don't they think it's justice that they were acquitted?

The whole concept of "true justice" (defined by whoever is using the term, of course) is frightening, because it basically implies that whoever is in political power at the time will get to decide what is or isn't justice.

lapucelle

(18,037 posts)
44. It means two things.
Wed Jul 13, 2016, 05:52 PM
Jul 2016

First, that the author of the piece thinks the cops are guilty.
Second, that the Justice Department might prosecute the cops under federal law for having committed a hate crime.

lapucelle

(18,037 posts)
41. It will be interesting to see if Mosby appeals any of the verdicts.
Wed Jul 13, 2016, 05:46 PM
Jul 2016

That would be a tip off that she (or her staff) thinks the judge committed reversible error.

For federal charges, you need evidence that police committed a hate crime.

 

MadDAsHell

(2,067 posts)
31. DU is killing me these days. Justice is apparently defined as "what I wanted to happen."
Wed Jul 13, 2016, 01:40 PM
Jul 2016

If the outcome isn't what you wanted, it must not be justice right?

That is my one and only beef with the "No Justice, No Peace" slogan. Clearly, the average person shouting that slogan does not mean investigate and adjudicate. They mean rule this person as innocent or guilty based on what I think they are.

So what they're really saying with "No Justice, No Peace" is "If the judicial outcome of this situation isn't what I wanted, there won't be peace." That ain't a recipe for an orderly society...

cstanleytech

(26,080 posts)
46. "If the outcome isn't what you wanted, it must not be justice right? " That isnt an issue confined
Wed Jul 13, 2016, 05:57 PM
Jul 2016

to just the DU its people in general everywhere on this planet.

lapfog_1

(29,166 posts)
52. no
Thu Jul 14, 2016, 11:19 AM
Jul 2016

Before his encounter with the police Mr. Gray was, as far as anyone knows, completely healthy, or at least free of a spinal cord injury.

Shortly after his encounter with them he is dead as a result of an injury to his spinal column.

something happened to him, either on the ground, being picked up by the police, or in the van ride.

Maybe it was an accident, maybe it was intentional, however...

During that time he was in the care and custody of the police.

They failed in their DUTY to ensure his life if not his well being (he was not yet even accused of a crime, only under arrest).

That the prosecutor cannot make a case against a given police officer for even a misdemeanor does not change any of the above facts.

Is it any wonder why there is now a BLM movement?

I would hope that if I was thrown into the back of an all metal (no cushions) police van with my hands and feet restrained, and died as a result of an injury most likely caused by being tossed around like an unwanted sack of potatoes... someone would seek justice for my life.

I don't have a problem with the verdict, I don't have a problem with the accused officer getting his back pay... I have a problem with our justice system that says "nobody was responsible for what happened".

This was really a "negligent murder on the orient express" and that, apparently, cannot be prosecuted because no single person can be shown to have been responsible for the injury to Mr. Gray.

That "everyone knows" that the Baltimore police give arrested people "rough rides" if they were uncooperative or, possibly, just because they are black men... is reason enough to indict the entire police department of crimes against humanity... if there was justice.

At the very least there should have been cameras recording the entire ride just to ensure the safety of Mr. Gray and to provide the police officers with evidence of innocence (if they were innocent) of any crimes done in the names of the citizens they are sworn to "serve and protect".

I'm not a religious person, but sometimes I really do wish there was this "Sky God" being that watches our every action and knows what is in our hearts (minds, but the emotional side of our mind) and will punish the guilty in the afterlife. Because in this case, I think the fictional Sky God would actually find some fault with one or more of the police involved in this case.

cstanleytech

(26,080 posts)
54. I'm not arguing with you on any of that I was pointing out
Thu Jul 14, 2016, 01:27 PM
Jul 2016

the fact that there will always be some who simply will not believe justice was reached regardless of jury's decision in a case.

Igel

(35,191 posts)
32. Yes. We're much more genteel about it.
Wed Jul 13, 2016, 01:48 PM
Jul 2016

It used to be you'd go to the jail cell, pull the guy out from police custody, and punish him, often with extreme prejudice (pun appropriate).

Now they just want to be vigilantes and make the guy's life a living hell. Heck, often there doesn't even need to be a charge that can be brought against the person. Justice is intensely personal and emotional when you're not involved directly but there's some community perimeter merging you with the wronged person. He may not have borne the sins of the world, but any justice for the person wronged is meted out on behalf of the world that feels itself similarly wronged.

 

LanternWaste

(37,748 posts)
33. I'd imagine because opinions on a message board in regards to a particular trial have few to no cons
Wed Jul 13, 2016, 01:50 PM
Jul 2016

"what's the point of the justice system at all?"

I'd imagine because opinions on a message board in regards to any one particular trial have absolutely no legal consequences; which also appears to deny the premise that posters, rather than courts, determine guilt or innocence, regardless of our opinions on whether the verdict was valid or unfair, biased or righteous.

BlueCaliDem

(15,438 posts)
7. What? No million-dollar book deal? You know? To really stick it to Gray's family for messing with
Wed Jul 13, 2016, 11:39 AM
Jul 2016

the Boys in Blue.

With actions like this, no wonder cops are seeing executing and causing the unnecessary deaths of black people a profitable way to take months in paid vacation time to be with the family.

This is an outrage. Clearly, the Boys in Blue and their tyrannical union don't subscribe to the Black Lives Matter, TOO movement!

lapucelle

(18,037 posts)
17. I respectfully disagree.
Wed Jul 13, 2016, 12:22 PM
Jul 2016

I don't think that living for a year with the knowledge that you are waiting to stand trial for murder can be characterized as a vacation. Goodson also had to live with the realization that the particular charges against him seemed to be setting him up as the fall guy. That was no vacation; it was a nightmare.

Similarly, Goodson's pay was suspended during that year. He was not being paid, so I don't see why anyone would characterize this as "paid vacation time".

I think if you asked most people whether they would rather have the type of "paid vacation" that Goodson had or go to work, they'd pick work.

NaturalHigh

(12,778 posts)
20. Thank you for your sane post on this matter.
Wed Jul 13, 2016, 12:27 PM
Jul 2016

In no way can what this officer went through be described as a "vacation."

lapucelle

(18,037 posts)
34. The media has a stake in stoking certain stories because they bring ratings.
Wed Jul 13, 2016, 01:55 PM
Jul 2016

Because there is only so much actual news and factual information to report, the media resorts to reporting opinion and rumor 24/7. When we get trials or Justice Department investigations that reach conclusions contrary to the rumor-driven narratives that the media has set up, people cry foul.

We're seeing this happen right now on the right with the Clinton email investigations. Clinton wasn't indicted because there was no crime, yet in a recent poll, 56% said Clinton escaped indictment because of a rigged system.

When juries, judges, and the Justice Department render decisions contrary to the story lines that the media has peddled for ratings, of course people are incredulous. And our side is just as good at peddling narratives as the folks on Fox news.

Tell you what...read the Justice Department report on Michael Brown's death, read the verdicts in the three Freddy Gray trials that have occurred thus far, and ask yourself if you see any miscarriage in justice.

We need better journalism in this country. That's the real problem.

BlueCaliDem

(15,438 posts)
38. Oh, come on! Police Unions have powerful attorneys on retainers. They have an image to uphold (never
Wed Jul 13, 2016, 03:51 PM
Jul 2016

guilty of anything) and every cop who allows his emotions to lead him during duty that risks resulting in the deaths of the very people they propagandize to "protect and serve" knows he can get away with murder - and do.

How many cops have suffered consequences for their deadly behavior toward Blacks and Latinos in the past?

Similarly, Goodson's pay was suspended during that year. He was not being paid, so I don't see why anyone would characterize this as "paid vacation time".

He's getting every penny back, ain't he? So yeah. He got paid vacation time - and a helluva lot more than Freddie Gray got or will ever get.

Defend those six cops all you want. It won't exonerate them in the court of public opinion among Blacks, Latinos, and other people of color who have only learned to distrust the police MORE, and it sure as hell won't bring Freddie Gray back nor bring his family peace nor change the police departments' attitude when dealing with taxpayers who pay their huge salaries and incredible benefits.

I hope the DoJ and the AG will go after them and all those other police officers who are getting away with murdering Blacks on a daily basis. I hope they'll be set as examples of what NOT to do as a police officer. And I hope you'll never have to suffer the pain the Gray, and Brown, and Rice families will continue to suffer for the rest of their lives.

I'm done with bad-cop apologists. Have a great life.

lapucelle

(18,037 posts)
47. I'm not defending the cops.
Wed Jul 13, 2016, 06:11 PM
Jul 2016

I'm refuting the idea that this past year was some kind of vacation for the man who was waiting to be tried for depraved heart murder.

My advice to people who are aggrieved at the verdict is to actually read it.

Last week we saw an aggrieved congressional committee incredulous at the FBI director for not having recommended an indictment of a woman who had not committed a crime. They didn't care what the law said.

We should all care very much that it is the law and the facts of the case that render the outcome rather than acrimony and public opinion.

 

alcibiades_mystery

(36,437 posts)
11. Give him a promotion, too
Wed Jul 13, 2016, 11:44 AM
Jul 2016

It's so sad he had to go through this. That Gray fellow obviously perished due to that old affliction of Negro misadventure.

Loki

(3,825 posts)
16. Now you can be legally paid for murder.
Wed Jul 13, 2016, 12:19 PM
Jul 2016

Instead of serve and protect, it has become hunt and execute. And they still don't understand why this has destroyed any trust we once had.

 

TipTok

(2,474 posts)
22. What else should have happened?
Wed Jul 13, 2016, 12:31 PM
Jul 2016

The prosecution never met the standard of proof that the rough ride happened.

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