Highest-ranking officer in Freddie Gray case acquitted of all charges

Lt. Brian Rice was found not guilty in the death of Freddie Gray.

(Image credit: Baltimore Police Department via Getty Images)

last updated 18 July 2016

On Monday, a judge acquitted Baltimore Police Lt. Brian Rice of all charges tied to the death of Freddie Gray, including involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment, and misconduct in office. Rice is the highest-ranking officer charged in connection to Gray's death in April 2015, which occurred after Gray suffered a fatal spine injury while in police custody.

Rice's attorney argued that his client's decision not to secure Gray in a seatbelt was "professional" and "correct" because of Gray's "combativeness" at the time, NPR reports. The prosecutor, on the other hand, argued Gray's death "cannot be blamed on poor judgment or error," because Rice's decisions "put together formed a chain" that led to Gray's injury and subsequent death.

Rice was the fourth of six officers to be tried in connection to Gray's death. Two of the previous trials ended in acquittals, and another in a hung jury. The next officer, Garrett Miller, goes on trial July 27.