Killer Baltimore cop acquitted, protesters told they can't be on street OR sidewalk

On the 23ed of May, the first verdict in the six cases against the police who murdered Freddie Grey was announced. As expected, Officer Edward Nero was found "Not Guilty" by a judge. He declined to face a jury for his crimes, choosing a bench trial instead. Protesters outside the courthouse were told by cops they had to "float," permitted to use neither the street nor the sidewalk. The Baltimore Bloc reported one violent arrest.

Edward Nero was charged with assault for detaining Michael Brown without justification, there is no possible way he can be innocent on that count. Edward Nero also originally helped put Michael Brown in the wagon with no seat belt, for which he was charged with reckless endangerment. The third charge was a "misconduct" charge. Possibly the judge was thinking of video showing cops stomping Michael Brown in the neck, implying death was caused by something other than just not being seat belted? OK, an unlawful detainment is a kidnapping rather than merely an assault, and a kidnapping leading to a death is felony murder, which is capital murder. Perhaps that's what Edward Nero should really have been charged with?

This is the second time in a row that a court case against one of Freddie Grey's six murderers has not gained a conviction, the first case having ended in a mistrial. Clearly there is no justice in the courts when police commit murder, there is just us in the streets.

WTOP Radio reported that Officer Nero's brother was mistaken for Ofc Nero and surrounded by protesters chanting "you're guilty," and a photo was published showing the family surrounded by protesters near the courthouse. Normally when someone's family is present to do courtroom support and the defendant is acquitted, they all leave together so this was a reasonable assumption. Nobody in Ofc Nero's family was assaulted. The only assault or violence reported the entire morning was one violent arrest by Baltimore Police of someone named Melvin.

For the moment, Edward Nero remains on "administrative leave" as the other cops are prosecuted (or not) and he could be called as a witness. There are still fears that Officer Nero will eventually be back on patrol, possibly with a pay raise. If he chooses to do so that will probably mean near-daily confrontations with Baltimore residents who consider him guilty of murder.

Later in the day, reports emerged from North and Penn that African-American teenagers waiting to cross the street were bluntly asked by corporate news reporters if they were going to riot and burn. The Baltimore Bloc Twitter account angrily referred to the corporate press as "outside agitators" because of this sort of thing. In Montgomery County, MD, the MoCo cops posted, then hurredly deleted a Tweet about sending 60-65 riot cops to Baltimore. Baltimore's riot cops were seen around town while the people refused to engage, refusing battle on terms chosen by the enemy.

Youtube video by "Zoo News" showing a larger,second protest at the Western District police station. warning: Youtube tracks all users