(Image source from: Baltimore Uprising: Police Officers Charged in the death of Freddie Gray})

After mammoth protests on streets over the suspicious death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray, who suffered spinal cord/ neck injury during the police custody, the police officers were given charges. According to the city's chief prosecutor Marilyn Mosby the driver of the van has given second-degree "depraved heart" murder and five others with lesser charges.

Freddie Gray, who died in hospital a week after his arrest on April 12, was in handcuffs and shackles but otherwise was not restrained inside the van, a violation of police department policy, prosecutor Marilyn Mosby said at a news conference.

Maryland State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby also said that the Maryland state medical examiner had ruled Gray's death a homicide. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said five of the six officers were under arrest. The charges include the murder to manslaughter to assault and misconduct in office.

The driver of the police vehicle, Officer Caesar R. Goodson Jr, may face a maximum penalty of 30 years if convicted on murder count and other offences may carry the imprisonment between 3 to 10 years.

Goodson also faces a charge of involuntary manslaughter, as three others: Sgt. Alicia D. White, Officer William G. Porter and Lt. Brian Rice. All six face lesser charges, including Officer Edward M. Nero and Officer Garrett E. Miller.

The protestors have been expressing good note for the charges. The six officers turned themselves in at the city jail Friday afternoon after the charges were announced. All were later released on bonds of between $250,000 and $350,000.

Video Courtesy: PBS NewsHour/YouTube

-Kannamsai