"no evidence of any use of excessive force"

[mike_c]

3. something I don't understand about this story....

In particular, I don't understand why no one appears to be asking why Gray was arrested in the first place. In fairness, I don't have television, so I don't know whether this is being widely reported on TV and therefore not discussed online. But what probable cause did the cops think implicated Gray in any crime? The circumstance that he tried to leave the area when cops arrived? Hell, I usually try to be scarce whenever cops arrive unexpectedly-- they're violent, authoritarian, and encounters with them usually turn out badly. Is it a crime to try to avoid contact with cops?

I've also heard it reported that he was carrying a knife. I've heard it variously described as a "switchblade knife" and as a "springed folding knife" that can be opened with one hand. I have a folding knife with a locking spring that can be opened with one hand in my pocket right now. It's a plain pocket knife. The kind you use to open packages, maybe dig a splinter out or something similar. Yeah, I suppose I could use it to hijack an airplane. But is it illegal? Where do you get arrested for carrying a pocket knife on a public street? I certainly want to avoid that place just as much as I want to avoid spending street time with cops.

It sure seems apparent that Gray was injured by excessive force during his arrest. But why was he arrested? Was it just to harass the black guy who didn't want to be around while the cops were there? Is that illegal in Baltimore?