Three Black Women Working On Same Case: U.S. Attorney General, Baltimore’s Mayor, And Baltimore State’s Attorney


Three black women are in the news, with Baltimore, Maryland, being the thread that links them. Those African-American women are U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch, 55, Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, 45, and Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby, 35. All of them are working on the Baltimore case involving the death of Freddie Gray, 25, who died after being arrested by police officers.

According to Newsweek, U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch visited Baltimore and announced a federal civil rights investigation into the legality of the Baltimore Police Department’s use of force and whether there are “systemic violations” as well as any pattern of discriminatory policing.

The Baltimore Sun reported that Lynch met with city officials, community leaders, and Gray’s family. Lynch pledged to improve the police department. The FBI and the Justice Department are investigating the death of Gray for potential civil rights violations. The police union said its officers welcome the investigation.

“We agree with the mayor on her invitation to the DOJ and welcome their investigation fully as we, too, have issues with many of the current policies and procedures of the department. It is our intent to fully cooperate with any investigation that has the potential to correct departmental deficiencies and improve the morale of our members.”

The Justice Department will examine whether the officers disobeyed the Constitution and the community’s civil rights and engaged in a pattern or practice of violations of the Constitution or of federal law. The Justice Department will issue a report of its findings at the conclusion of the investigation.

Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake

Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake requested the Department of Justice to conduct an investigation to seek any patterns of misconduct within the Baltimore Police Department. The mayor said she expects an answer soon.

On May 1, Marilyn Mosby became prominent when she determined that Freddie Gray’s death was a homicide, and she quickly handed down charges for six police officers involved in his death.

Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby
Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby

The decision was met with joy in West Baltimore, where protesters had rioted four nights before. Critics immediately began to question whether Mosby had moved too fast, overcharged the officers, and picked unfair charges that she can’t possibly win.

David Jaros, an associate professor at the University of Baltimore School of Law, agrees with the critics. He reportedly said Mosby not only acted too quickly, but she also possibly overcharged the officers.

“Representatives of the Baltimore police stated that they do not support some of the charges brought against the officers.”

The three African-American women are working on the same Baltimore case to determine is there is a pattern or practice of violations of the Constitution or of federal law. If so, then changes will be made in the Baltimore Police Department.

[Images via Getty Images]

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