The first police officer, William Porter, of the so-called, Baltimore Six, has received a temporary reprieve with the mistrial Judge Barry Williams declared yesterday. Never before have I meant it as much as I do now when I say how ashamed Marilyn Mosby, Baltimore’s state’s attorney (and her assistant prosecutors) should feel about this persecution of their police officers. Has even one of her staff, some who are much more experienced than she is, resigned over this farce? I haven’t heard of any. If not, why not? At what point do you decide you won’t take part in Mosby’s effort to ruin these officer’s lives?
Last night on the Kelly File (FOX News Channel), a former Baltimore City police officer, who is in contact with the accused officers, referred to these trials in a clichéd but accurate way calling it a “witch-hunt.” The fact the officer felt it necessary to hide his identity is a testament to what police officers (and, apparently, former police officers) face today when they attempt to exercise their free speech rights—not from fringe, cop-hating, whacko leftist groups but from city, state and federal officials.
I can commiserate with this officer. I also spoke out about similar “official” sentiments against Seattle’s cops. The media lambasted me, and my department launched an investigation to keep me from speaking. Similar to this officer’s reasons, I made my decision to leave the Seattle Police Department. Is it any wonder officers are fleeing Baltimore—and other American police departments? The officer mentioned Baltimore City is now attempting to cajole retired officers to return to duty (Don’t even think about it Chief O’Toole). I don’t think I have to worry. Although, at the rate they are firing cops, many won’t have the option of quitting before it’s too late.
In the current “officially sanctioned” anti-cop environment, officers, aside from risking their lives, are not only taking their careers in their hands when they head out to their beats to “serve and protect,” they now risk their freedom. If the jury had convicted Officer Porter of the most serious of the charges Mosby threw at the wall, he could have gone to prison for twenty-five years. On a side note, should we wonder if this mistrial is how the jury (even subconsciously) avoided coming back with a “not guilty” verdict? Was there one holdout for conviction, or was it for acquittal? Rather than just worried about the fate of an officer whom the prosecutor had clearly over-charged, were some on the jury improperly concerned about possible rioting–seems that would be human nature. Anyway, back to the evil.
Think about that. Twenty-five years, not for committing a crime (it seems there may have been a policy violation, at worst), but for having the misfortune of falling under the jurisdiction of an evil ideologue who could not care less about the police officers who serve her city. How can I use the word, “evil?” Here’s just three reasons: The city paid out $6.4 million to Gray’s family (before the family even sued, essentially, admitting the city’s guilt); the prosecutor refused to agree to a change to insure a fair trial; and Judge Williams blasted the prosecution for failing to disclose to the defense that Freddie Gray had confessed he had a prior back injury a month before his arrest. Hmmm, does anyone else think that last little tidbit is relevant to the defense?
Trying to put someone in prison, a sworn police officer, no less, for up to a quarter century to advance a personal, biased, political agenda is—well, if it’s not evil, tell me a better word for it.
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