Like many, I am still waiting for the evidence used as the basis to charge the six officers in Baltimore for the death of Freddie Gray. This morning, however, I was disturbed to read that an effort to create a fundraising site for the defense of the officers was taken down on GoFundMe. It appears that the site has a very questionable standard for funding that does not afford accused parties a presumption of innocence in asking for support to fund their defense.
The Baltimore City Fraternal Order of Police created a GoFundMe page for the six officers after they were charged Friday. However, less than an hour later, it was taken down.
After 41 minutes, it has only raised $1,135 — considerably short of the $600,000 goal.
There is no confirmation on who is responsible. However, the site states the following : “‘Campaigns in defense of formal charges of heinous crimes’ are prohibited by our terms . . . GoFundMe cannot be used to benefit those who are charged with serious violations of the law.” Really? Why? I was under the impression that people were given a presumption of innocence in this country. Why shouldn’t this site be used to help guarantee a fair trial for anyone facing prosecution? Moreover, how do you define a serious violation? Clearly, this case would qualify but where is the line drawn?
This is a site that is designed to help people organize in making donations to support different causes. Giving such charity is a positive act, including giving money to guarantee a fully funded defense. Our criminal justice system is a foundational part of our society. It reflects our commitment to the rule of law. Central to that institution is the presumption of innocence. I find this policy of GoFundMe to be inexplicable and distasteful. Many people want to support the criminal justice system as much as environmental or other causes. The policy makes, in my view, an arbitrary and biased decision in barring those who are accused of serious offenses by the government. It should equally presumably bar those who are viewed as victims of government abuse like journalists or whistleblowers.
I also was a bit concerned to read Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby comments telling protesters: “I heard your calls for, ‘No Justice, No peace.’ Your peace is sincerely needed as I work to deliver justice on behalf of this young man.” I generally think it is a bad idea for prosecutors to directly respond to public protests demanding criminal charges. Such protests should not have an influence on the decision to prosecute and it is always a concern, as with Mike Nifong in the Duke case, where prosecutors are seen as too responsive to public demands for criminal charges. This is not meant to suggest that a criminal case cannot be made but these press conferences can undermine the integrity of a prosecution if the chief prosecutor is viewed as too influenced by external events or demands.
Another thing, IF Freddie was on parole, and he had tested positive for pot and heroin in his system, he could have been sent back up. Maybe that is why he ran??? Does anyone know for sure whether he was still on parole???
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
You know the facts BamBam? I doubt you know them anymore than anyone else here. None of us know anything more than has been revealed in the investigation that resulted in the indictment and they investigation is ongoing, plus I’m sure there will be more facts to learn at the trial.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/crime/freddiegray.asp
There is a long history of cities and municipalities making payouts into hundreds of thousands of dollars for the injuries sustained during these nickel rides. And by the way, if you’re not familiar with the terms “rough ride” or nickel ride”, what might that say about you?
My great-grandfather was a police sergeant, so I have old old newspaper accounts of how the police treated the “darkies” 100 years ago. It’s just that back then they didn’t have to be PC about it or try to hide the brutality, it was common talk of the day.
Well, it looks like these six cops might be in for a little rough ride of their own and I can’t say I’m sorry for them. No one appointed the cops to be judge, jury, and executioner, and if the job is too freakin’ tough, go do something else.
I. Annie
It’s called knowing all the facts. I know, not something the knee-jerk libs like. It’s not about anyone deserving to die. It should also not be about charging police officers with serious crimes before all of the facts are disclosed.
After hearing it several times, I looked up the Freddy Gray car accident stuff on Snopes, and so far it does not seem to be confirmed. Strangely, however, it seems Freddy and his sister were exposed to lead when children, and were in the process of getting money for that:
http://www.snopes.com/politics/crime/freddiegraysuit.asp
The effects of lead poisoning In children:
Sooo, maybe it becomes more likely Freddy did have either a seizure in the van, or exhibit aggressive behavior by banging his head into the van. Not to mention the pot and heroin in his system.
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
*Why*
Bambam’s story wasn’t linked to a source, was it AP, or did this come from Legal Insurrection? Was the site Heavy.com? Who do people not source their articles?
I have no documentation to prove what I just posted. There are, however, court records which can be easily accessed.
Anyone surprised that this is being silenced?
So, I guess it’s ok for cops to be judge and jury? Because he had a rap sheet, he deserved to die?
Thanks Fiver, I thought that sounded fishy.
Yes, if he have been home resting, his already injured spine (from the accident bambam’s link describes) or from the cops twisting him into a pretzel, then flinging him shackled unbuckled, face down in the back of the paddy wagon, wouldn’t have gotten 80% severed at the neck. If he had been injured to that degree from this accident, he may been just as dead as he is now right after the accident.
Those stories that Freddie Gray had a preexisting spinal injury are totally bogus
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/04/30/those-stories-that-freddie-gray-had-a-pre-existing-spinal-injury-are-totally-bogus/
@bam bam
Great link! Legal Insurrection is a fantastic site. I used to comment some over there a year or so ago. They did a bang up job on self defense and stand your ground laws back during the Trayvon days.
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
Rap Sheet
Published April 30, 2015
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AP
By Tom Cleary, Heavy.com
Freddie Gray, who died a week after suffering injuries while in Baltimore police custody, had a lengthy criminal record, mainly for drug-related offenses, according to state court records. Police claim he was “involved in criminal activity,” prior to his arrest.
Gray, 25, died after spending seven days in a coma as a result of injuries he suffered while in the custody of city police, the Baltimore Sun reports.
His arrest record includes at least 18 arrests:
March 20, 2015: Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance
March 13, 2015: Malicious destruction of property, second-degree assault
January 20, 2015: Fourth-degree burglary, trespassing
January 14, 2015: Possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute
December 31, 2014: Possession of narcotics with intent to distribute
December 14, 2014: Possession of a controlled dangerous substance
August 31, 2014: Illegal gambling, trespassing
January 25, 2014: Possession of marijuana
September 28, 2013: Distribution of narcotics, unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance, second-degree assault, second-degree escape
April 13, 2012: Possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance, violation of probation
July 16, 2008: Possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute
March 28, 2008: Unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance
March 14, 2008: Possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to manufacture and distribute
February 11, 2008: Unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a controlled dangerous substance
August 29, 2007: Possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, violation of probation
August 28, 2007: Possession of marijuana
August 23, 2007: False statement to a peace officer, unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance
July 16, 2007: Possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance (2 counts)
There seem to be a number of posters who seem to imply that the cops should not have been arrested, because it gives the appearance of mob rule. That is hog wash.
I did not imply or mean to imply that the officers should not be investigated or even arrested at some point.
I do so state that the rush to do so is unseemly in that a decision of this magnitude….homicide by a group of police officers to quell the rioting smacks of giving into mob justice. Due process can and should take time. If the officers are found guilty of actual homicide or of negligent homicide then justice should be served.
The rush to judgement in the Ferguson case where the MOB was so sure that it was Hand UP Don’t Shoot and people were clamoring for the head of the officer…..when it turned out to not be what the popular meme was spouting is …or should be….a lesson on letting mob rule reign. Letting the breathless media and professional agitators determine what is justice is to just descend into anarchy. And again I say….living in the State of Anarchy is not to be desired.
In addition. The knife that Gray was carrying IS illegal under the statues. The prosecutor doesn’t know her @ss from a hole in the ground and this is further proof that her indictment is political instead of a pursuit of deliberate and judicial exercise of the legal system.
http://legalinsurrection.com/2015/05/freddie-grays-knife-why-is-prosecutor-claiming-unlawful-arrest/
UPDATE: More information has serviced, and a story will be released at 6 PM EST Wednesday that blows the Freddie Gray settlement/surgery/car accident story WIDE open
CONFIRMED: Court records show Freddie Gray was receiving a structured settlement from Allstate Insurance and attempted to convert it into one lump sum in early March
———————————————————————————————————————————–
EXCLUSIVE: The Fourth Estate has been told that Freddie Gray’s life-ending injuries to his spine may have possibly been the result of spinal and neck surgery that he allegedly received a week before he was arrested, not from rough excessively rough treatment or abuse from police.
The Fourth Estate has contacted sources who allege that Freddie Gray received spinal and neck surgery a week before we was arrested, and was allegedly receiving a large structured settlement from Allstate Insurance. The surgery is allegedly related to a car accident in which Gray was involved.
Sources allege that Gray also attempted to refinance his structured settlement into one lump sum payment through Peachtree Funding.
If this is true, then it is possible that Gray’s spinal injury resulting from his encounter with the Baltimore Police was not the result of rough-handling or abuse, but rather a freak accident that occurred when Gray should have been at home resting, not selling drugs.
The structured settlement from Allstate and Gray’s attempt to convert it into one lump sum payment has been confirmed by Howard County Circuit Court Records
gray2
gray3
It is reasonable to believe that the injuries Gray suffered after the arrest were not related to the police’s treatment of him at all. Spinal and neck surgery is a large ordeal, and doctors advise weeks of bed rest and taking it easy in order to not rupture the patient’s recently fused spine.
If this is true, Freddy Gray decided to go out and ended up getting in a scuffle with the police instead of healing properly. The police didn’t mistreat him at all; he mistreated himself.
Interesting ethics that this is disturbing (which I agree) but the killing of another unarmed black male (young) is not highlighted as such.
And the witness, Donta or Donte Allen. He said one thing right after the incident happened, and then later on when the hoopla started, he walked it back. Hmmm. I wonder why???
“I had two options today right, either come and talk to y’all and get my credibility straight with ya’ll and not get killed by these [expletive] or not tell a true story,” Allen added. “The only reason I’m doing this is because they put my name in a bad state.”
http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/video/11447146-wjz-exclusive-the-other-man-in-the-van-with-freddie-gray-breaks-his-silence/
Sooo, it’s either walk it back or get killed by the other thugs. And don’t you just love the other yute there, with the hat, and dopey look from whatever crap he is on. Yes, such a fine slice of life from Poor Black America!
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
If we are to believe that the system itself actually practices innocence until proven guilty (which is laughable) for a criminal defendant, this is an outrage.
GoFundMe is used for all sorts of fundraising ventures.
Of all the lack of quality or even component counsel in this country and this is a concern. I’m sure these government officials will have fine attorneys.
And for JT there is no evidence that will please you when it doesn’t go along with your nostalgic american narrative.