ISA_You should know this about Baltimore's Freddie Gray,...

Freddie Gray had a pre-existing spinal and neck injury and had severe nerve damage and scar tissue from an accident that Allstate Insurance was paying him for, in a structured settlement.  This monthly payment and drug money were his means of support.  Freddie had had several unsuccessful spinal fusion surgeries over the past 4 1/2 years.  His most recent spinal/cervical operation was a week and a half before he was arrested on April 12.  He was on doctor’s orders to remain home and in bed to speed recovery from that major operation.  Instead, Freddie was out manufacturing and distributing drugs on the streets of Baltimore, and strenuously resisting arrest.

Freddie had a long criminal history (rap sheet):   many pages long for manufacturing and distributing drugs and controlled substances, including heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine and marijuana.  He had been convicted of numerous other felonies including assault, firearms violations, breaking and entering, armed robbery, receiving stolen property, and the list goes on and on from his 18th birthday.  In Baltimore County, juvenile records are forever sealed except by judicial order.  ( www.mdjudiciarycaseresearch )  Freddie, known on the streets as “Pepper”, was 25 years old, 5’8″ and weighed 145 lbs. when last arrested.  He had been incarcerated at least 12 times, the longest stretch being 2 years in prison in Maryland.

Following his arrest, Freddie was placed into the paddy wagon by the police officers who had arrested him —- 3 black officers, 3 white.  He could have easily slipped on the floor or bench, or twisted his neck or shoulders to reopen his recently fused and weakened spine.  Enroute to the County jail, the paddy wagon stopped once so that officers could put leg restraints on Freddie to calm him down and restrict his movement.

Freddie was a dangerous career felon, well-known to the BPD officers, with a damaged and healing spine and neck, and was supposed to be home healing a week and a half after surgery.  He should not have been running around on the streets of Baltimore committing drug felonies and resisting arrest.

By the way, none of the eight BPD officers who arrested Freddy has ever had a complaint against him for brutality or use of excessive force.