Judge in Freddie Gray-officer trial grills prosecutors

BALTIMORE (AP) — A judge aggressively questioned prosecutors Thursday about why they charged an officer with assault in the arrest of Freddie Gray, and asked whether every officer who makes an arrest without probable cause should be charged with a crime.

Baltimore Circuit Judge Barry Williams grilled prosecutors during their closing arguments in the bench trial of Officer Edward Nero, who was one of three officers who chased Gray when he ran after making eye contact with an officer.

Nero faces assault, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment charges.

The judge asked Deputy State's Attorney Jan Bledsoe whether every police officer who makes an arrest without probable cause should be charged.

Gray's death set off protests and riots over police officers' alleged mistreatment of blacks and led to a city-wide curfew as the National Guard came in and helped restore order.