State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby walked down the steps of the Baltimore War Memorial on Friday morning and — with a vigor seldom seen from officials handling the aftermath of Freddie Gray’s death — made a stunning announcement: The officers involved in his arrest would be charged.
Almost as stunning: Mosby is just 35 and has been on the job for less than four months.
The black lawyer ousted a white incumbent, Gregg Bernstein, in the Democratic primary by promising to hold police accountable. She echoed that sentiment Friday as she talked about Gray’s relatives.
“I assured the family,” she said, “that no one was above the law.”
Gray, 25, died April 19, a week after suffering a severe spine injury while in police custody. His death has touched off days of unrest in Baltimore.
While many in Baltimore celebrated the charges, some in the law enforcement community questioned it. Around the same time that Mosby made her bold announcement, the police union asked that she appoint a special prosecutor to determine whether charges should be filed.
“While I have the utmost respect for you and your office, I have very deep concerns about the many conflicts of interest presented by your office conducting an investigation in this case,” Gene Ryan, a leader of Baltimore’s Fraternal Order of Police, wrote in an open letter.
Ryan pointed to Mosby’s relationship with William “Billy” Murphy, the attorney representing Gray’s family. Maryland campaign finance records show Murphy contributed $5,000 to her campaign for state’s attorney.
“Most importantly,” Ryan said, “it is clear that your husband’s political future will be directly impacted, for better or worse, by the outcome of your investigation.”
Her husband is Nick Mosby, a member of the Baltimore City Council who represents the West Baltimore neighborhood where Gray was arrested.
At the news conference, Mosby was asked whether her husband’s job presented any potential conflicts, but she sharply denied that any existed.
Former Baltimore Mayor Kurt Schmoke, who served on Mosby’s transition team, dismissed the criticism.
“The call for her to step aside is misguided,” said Schmoke, who was Baltimore’s first elected black mayor and is now president of the University of Baltimore. “There is no basis in fact to question her integrity or independence in this matter.”
Mosby, who has two young daughters, comes from a family steeped in law enforcement experience. Her mother, her grandfather and two of her uncles were Boston police officers.
“She always wanted to be an attorney and work for the community,” said her mother, Linda Thompson, 52. “The world’s her stage right now, and she’s shining like a star.”
Gray’s death represents Mosby’s biggest test in office.
On Friday, she was composed as she outlined one of the most detailed accounts of what took place the night Gray was arrested. Helicopters circled overhead as she spoke. People in the crowd leaned forward and strained to hear her above the traffic on Gay Street.
She urged protesters to “channel your energy peacefully” and assured them that she had heard their calls of “No justice, no peace.”
She also addressed the city’s police force, noting that her family had worn badges, too.
“To the rank and file of the Baltimore city police: These accusations are not an indictment of the entire force,” she said, praising their hard work and dedication. “Thank you for your courage.”
