BALTIMORE _ Representatives for the six officers who had been charged in the Freddie Gray case defended their clients and criticized State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby during a press conference Wednesday afternoon.
"Justice has been done," said Gene Ryan, president of FOP Lodge 3, which represents city police officers.
Ryan said Mosby's comments earlier in the day were "outrageous and uncalled for and simply untrue."
Attorney Ivan Bates, who represents Sgt. Alicia White, spoke on behalf of all of the officers and their attorneys. He criticized Mosby for not conducting a thorough, independent investigation of Gray's arrest and death.
Bates said Mosby's office declined assistance that was offered by the Maryland State Police and the FBI.
Bates said a "nightmare" began for the six officers when they were charged on May 1, 2015.
He contended that Gray ran from police when they encountered him, because he and his friends planned to "re-up" to sell drugs that day. He said officers were justified in pursuing Gray.
"Everybody wanted to find out what happened to Freddie Gray," Bates said.
When asked what he thought had happened to Gray, Bates said that Gray fell and was injured between stops five and six. He also alleged that once an ambulance was called, it was slow to arrive at the scene.
All six officers were present at the press conference at the FOP lodge in Hampden, but they did not speak. They are still subject to internal investigations.
Ryan said the officers hope to return to duty. Four are working for the police department and the other two hope to, Ryan said.
