The police officer who prosecutors once said was most responsible for the in-custody death of Freddie Gray will appear Monday before a disciplinary board that will determine whether or not he should be fired. It is the final effort to hold the officer accountable for the death of Gray, a 25-year-old black man who was critically injured during a police van ride.
Gray was handcuffed and shackled, but left unrestrained by a seat belt, during the nearly 45-minute ride from his arrest site to the police station. Goodson was the van's driver. He was acquitted of murder and other charges last year.
<snip>
An administrative hearing is like a regular trial, except instead of a judge, an administrative trial board, made up of two members of the Baltimore Police Department and one outside chair, ultimately decides whether an officer should be disciplined, and what the punishment will be. The hearing will focus on whether the officer in question violated department policies and procedures. Unanimity is not required to find an officer guilty, and there's no specific time frame in which that decision has to be made.
Goodson's hearing is expected to last up to five days.
A new state law passed after Gray's death means the proceedings will be open to the public.
The prosecution and defense may call witnesses — including some of the other officers involved — and present physical evidence.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/10/27/what-to-expect-at-baltimore-police-disciplinary-hearing.html
