2 cops charged in Freddie Gray case sue top Baltimore prosecutor for defamation
Two Baltimore police officers facing manslaughter charges in the high-profile death in custody of suspect Freddie Gray last year have now filed a civil lawsuit against the chief prosecutor in their case.
It asserts causes of action for alleged defamation and invasion of privacy against Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby, a sheriff’s office major and the state of Maryland. The suit contends that Mosby made false statements about the criminal case at a May 2015 news conference announcing the charges against Sgt. Alicia White and Officer William Porter, reports the Baltimore Sun. In December, a trial against Porter <a href=”ended in a mistrial.
The defendants did not provide comment to the newspaper, but attorneys not involved in the litigation said the plaintiffs face a high bar in attempting to prove their allegations in the unusual lawsuit.
“She has the same constitutional rights as anyone to speak about matters of public concern,” said attorney Joe Espo of Mosby, “and, generally speaking, if you’re talking about somebody in the public eye, you need to show reckless disregard for the truth.”
Filed early this month, Baltimore City Circuit Court suit was unsealed Wednesday, after a judge declined a motion to keep it confidential. The Sun said a reporter could not reach the lawyer who filed it. However, WBAL reports that attorney Michael Glass told Sunday’s Maryland’s News the lawsuit was filed now because the statute of limitations was looming.
He said Mosby can be held liable for comments that exceed the scope of her official duties.
CBS News also has a story.
