The editors of the Washington Post proclaim the indictment of six police officers on crimes related to the death of a man in their custody that have sparked demonstrations, riots, and looting in Baltimore “a step toward justice”:
The decision to prosecute the six officers involved in Mr. Gray’s death therefore affords an opening for justice. That justice would be first and foremost for Mr. Gray and — if it provides an impetus for enacting more sensible rules for dealing with police misconduct — for future victims of abuse by police.
I am content to let the case work its way through the courts. I don’t know what happened in Baltimore. I don’t know what caused the death of Freddie Gray. That will emerge in the trial and we can only hope that justice will be done, whatever that might be.
So far things are promising. Baltimore had a relatively peaceful night last night. Whether it will remain so we can only speculate.
I hope those calling for justice are not disappointed if a future trial leads to acquittals of all of the police officers. Indictments of police officers for the deaths of individuals in their custody are rare but convictions are almost unheard of. Particularly in the case of the most serious charge I can see any number of ways that a jury might have reasonable doubt. Based on my personal experience with Chicago juries I will be greatly surprised if the police officers are convicted of anything.
Meanwhile, let justice be done. And let’s not leap to a judgment of what that might require.
