By John W. Lillpop
Freddie Gray, the 25-year old black male in whose name the city of Baltimore has been reduced to smoldering ruins was frequently in the custody of local police over the past 8 years.
As reported, Gray’s arrest record shows a disturbing trend of interaction with police. His record follows:
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)
While it can be argued that many of the arrests involved minor crimes, given the narrative pushed by the media which portrays Baltimore police as evil racists on the prowl for young black victims, it is remarkable that Gray survived as long as he did!
Indeed, with about 20 or so adversarial episodes with police, one wonders how it is that Gray was not shot or otherwise murdered by police at an earlier juncture in his lifetime of crime?
Of course, Freddie Gray’s death was a tragedy that must be investigated and explained fully. If wrongful, unlawful police abuse was causative, then the guilty officer(s) must be held fully accountable and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
By the same token, if the investigation indicates no police misbehavior or culpability, then the community must accept that fact as well.
Whatever the ultimate outcome, these facts are indisputable:
1. Mob violence is never an acceptable behavior in a civilized society.
2. Protesters who assault police are doomed to failure. Police are, after all, armed and authorized to use deadly force when justified.
3. A life of crime that causes one to confront police frequently is a dangerous, unwise choice: Freddie Gray might still be with us had he not been involved with police so often!
Read more at http://www.snopes.com/politics/crime/freddiegray.asp#lCfzRi5wRGBk1dfS.99
