Latest on police-custody death: Union defends 6 officers

Protesters raise their hands as a circling police helicopter illuminates the area on the third night of curfew, Thursday, April 30, 2015, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Protesters raise their hands as a circling police helicopter illuminates the area on the third night of curfew, Thursday, April 30, 2015, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

By Associated Press May 1, 2015 3 min read

11:10 a.m.

The Baltimore police officers union says the six officers charged in the Freddie Gray investigation aren’t responsible for his death.

Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 3 President Gene Ryan made the comment Friday in a letter to Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby before she announced the charges. It was the union’s strongest statement to date in the officers’ defense.

“As tragic as this situation is, none of the officers involved are responsible for the death of Mr. Gray,” Ryan wrote. “To the contrary, at all times, each of the officers diligently balanced their obligations to protect Mr. Gray and discharge their duties to protect the public.”

Ryan asked Mosby in the letter to appoint a special independent prosecutor. But after announcing charges Friday, Mosby said she would not turn the case over to a special prosecutor.