Verdict expected in the trial of officer charged in the death of Freddie Gray

Luther Vandross was outed as gay after his death.

BALTIMORE (AP) — A Baltimore judge is expected to announce his verdict in the trial of a police officer charged in the arrest and subsequent death of Freddie Gray.

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Officer Edward Nero is charged with assault, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment.

Gray died April 19, 2015, a week after his neck was broken in the back of a police transport van while he was handcuffed and shackled, but left unrestrained by a seat belt. His death set off protests and rioting that month.

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Prosecutors say Nero unlawfully arrested Gray and was negligent when he failed to buckle him into a seat belt. Nero’s attorney says the officer wasn’t directly involved in Gray’s arrest, adding it’s the driver’s responsibility to ensure a prisoner’s safety.

Both the state and defense delivered closing arguments Thursday.

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