On Friday afternoon, Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby announced that officers involved in Freddie Gray's death would be charged. Shortly before the announcement, the Baltimore police union released a scathing open letter defending the officers, questioning Mosby's relationship with the Gray family and her husband's political interest in the case, and calling for a special prosecutor to be appointed to the case, according to Newsweek.
"As tragic as this situation is, none of the officers involved are responsible for the death of Mr. Gray," Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 3 President Gene Ryan wrote in a letter, which was posted on Twitter.
Freddie Gray was arrested April 12 and suffered injuries in police custody that led to his death April 19. Mosby announced that six officers would be facing several charges, including "assault in the second degree, misconduct in office, false imprisonment, manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter and second degree depraved-heart murder," according to Newsweek.
"At all times, each of the officers diligently balanced their obligations to protect Mr. Gray and discharge their duties to protect the public," Ryan wrote in his letter, adding, "I have very deep concerns about the many conflicts of interest presented by your office conducting an investigation in this case."
He even mentioned Mosby's husband, Nick Mosby, who is a Baltimore city councilman, noting, "It is clear that your husband's political future will be directly impacted, for better or worse, by the outcome of your investigation."
He concluded the letter by asking that a special prosecutor be appointed to this case to "avoid any appearance of impropriety."
Read more at Newsweek.