Baltimore to pay family of Freddie Gray $6.4M

John Bacon | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Freddie Gray's family, Baltimore reach $6.4M settlement Baltimore officials came to a $6.4 million wrongful death settlement with Freddie Gray's family, Gray, 25 at the time, died in April from a neck injury he suffered while in police custody. Six officers were arrested and await trial in the case.

The city of Baltimore announced an agreement Tuesday to pay $6.4 million to settle a lawsuit filed by the family of Freddie Gray, the 25-year-old man black man who died in April after suffering a critical injury while in police custody.

Gene Ryan, president of the Baltimore City Fraternal Order of Police, blasted the deal as "obscene" and "ridiculous." He urged the city's spending oversight board to reject the deal.

The Board of Estimates, which is controlled by Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, will vote on the plan Wednesday.

Gray's death sparked a national outcry and triggered sometimes violent protests, devastating looting and arson in Baltimore. It ultimately led to the firing of Police Commissioner Anthony Batts. Six police officers face charges linked to Gray's death.

"The proposed settlement agreement going before the Board of Estimates should not be interpreted as a judgment on the guilt or innocence of the officers facing trial," Rawlings-Blake said. "This settlement is being proposed solely because it is in the best interest of the city and avoids costly and protracted litigation that would only make it more difficult for our city to heal."

The mayor's office said the city would pay $2.8 million to Gray's family in the fiscal year that began July 1; the balance would be paid in the following fiscal year.

Last week a judge ruled that the six police officers can be tried separately. They have pleaded not guilty to charges ranging from false imprisonment to involuntary manslaughter.

Ryan said no deal should be cut prior to completion of the criminal cases.

"Just as Baltimore is returning to its pre-riot normalcy, this news threatens to interrupt any progress made toward restoring the relationship between the Baltimore Police Department and the Baltimore City government," Ryan said.

Police said the confrontation with Gray began April 12 in a high-crime area of the city after he and another man spotted officers and started running away. Gray, arrested after being pursued on foot, was handcuffed and restrained inside a police vehicle. He suffered a severe spinal injury and died a week later.

An autopsy report revealed Gray died of a "high-energy injury" that likely happened when the police van suddenly slowed down.