Freddie Gray’s Family Potentially Awarded $6.4 Million By Baltimore, But Justice Can’t Be Bought.

Today (September 8), the family of Freddie Gray reached a settlement with the city of Baltimore, Maryland. The family and legal team will receive $6.4 million, according to Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.

Tomorrow morning (September 9), the Board Of Estimates, a civic panel including Mayor Rawlings-Blake will be the final step, through voting whether to approve the eight-figure settlement.

FreddieGray_mother

Freddie Gray died April 19 in the city. The 25 year-old Black man was arrested for possessing a switch-blade one week prior (April 12) in West Baltimore. In the custody of the Baltimore Police Department, Gray died of spinal cord injuries while in a transport van. The six attending officers did not use the proper (and mandatory) safety restraints, and subsequently did not respond to Mr. Gray’s pleas for help and subsequent coma. The injuries sustained during the transport ultimately caused Gray’s death, ruled investigators. According to The New York Times, “Sgt. Alicia D. White, Lt. Brian Rice and Officer William G. Porter are charged with manslaughter. Officers Edward M. Nero and Garrett Miller face lesser charges, including second-degree assault.”

Beginning Thursday (September 10), those six officers will proceed in criminal trials, facing an array of individual charges. The Times reports, “Officer Caesar R. Goodson Jr., the driver of the police van in which Mr. Gray was injured, is charged with second-degree depraved-heart murder — in essence, murder with willful disregard for human life. Sgt. Alicia D. White, Lt. Brian Rice and Officer William G. Porter are charged with manslaughter. Officers Edward M. Nero and Garrett Miller face lesser charges, including second-degree assault.”

Freddie Gray is survived by his mother (pictured) and two sisters, including a twin.

Related: Eric Garner’s Family Awarded $5.9 Million By NYC, But The Fight For Justice Continues.