It's been one month since massive protests and riots began in Baltimore, Maryland after the funeral of Freddie Gray, the 25-year-old black man killed while in police custody. What has changed in the past month, and where does the case against the police stand? Here's what you need to know:
1. The police officers involved have been indicted
The nightly riots that pit police in riot gear against civilian protesters stopped shortly after May 1. That’s when Baltimore State’s attorney Marilyn Mosby announced the six police officers involved in Gray’s death would be charged with homicide and other crimes. Prior to that, the officers had been suspended with pay.
A Maryland grand jury indicted all six officer involved in Gray's death. Now the officers will be tried in court, with the state bringing serious charges against those involved. The trial date has not been set.
2. The president is trying to limit militarized police
During the riots in Baltimore and previously in Ferguson, Missouri, photographers and television cameras introduced America to police forces with tanks, full body armor, and grenade launchers. We soon learned that this is not unique to these two cities, and that police forces across the country have been supplied with military-style machinery and gear.
President Obama passed an executive order to prohibit federal agencies from supplying local police forces with military-grade equipment. Local police are able to bypass the restrictions if they buy gear from private sellers.
3. Debates over media reporting have increased
Media outlets, especially cable news, have been criticized heavily during their reporting of the Baltimore riots and last year's Ferguson riots. Discussions over the use of the word "thug" have occurred over the last month and opinions vary greatly. Many see the coverage of the recent Waco, Texas biker gang shootings as a prime example of how the media reports crimes involving black men and white men differently.
4. Knife laws are under examination
The police officers that have been indicted in the death of Freddie Gray claim Gray had an illegal knife on him at the time of his arrest. Baltimore State's attorney Marilyn Mosby states that Gray's knife was legal and its possession should not have led to an arrest. This debate has brought to light the staggering differences in knife laws across the country.
Both Maryland and Baltimore have their own knife laws. The police that claim Gray’s knife was illegal cite Baltimore city knife laws while Mosby argues the knife was legal under Maryland state laws.
Many cities, states, and counties across the U.S. all have their own unique knife laws, which causes mass confusion to citizens. Knife rights groups are trying to prevent cities and counties from passing knife laws that differ from state laws, known as state pre-emption laws. Georgia is one of eight states that prevent jurisdictions from passing knife laws that differ from state laws
5. Body cameras are a hot topic of discussion
In the aftermath of the death of Freddie Gray, many believe the use of body cameras by police are the way to prevent similar deaths from occurring. With several cities that have adopted body cameras in the last year reporting the cameras have lead to a drop in police violence and reports against the police, it’s not surprising recent polls show nine in 10 Americans support the use of cameras on cops.
However, the cost of the cameras, coupled with concerns over the footage becoming public record, has raised some red flags. Police and lawmakers are trying to navigate how and when it is appropriate for body cameras to be used. Hundreds of cops in metro Atlanta will soon be wearing cameras.
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