Officer Edward M. Nero: One of the three officers who pursued Freddie Gray. (Photo: Baltimore Police via Getty Images) 
 
 One of six Baltimore police officers charged in last month's death of Freddie Gray argues in a court filing that the knife found in the suspect's pocket after his arrest was illegal, contrary to what the city's top prosecutor has stated. 
 
 Attorneys want Maryland State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby to show them the knife that resulted in Officer Edward Nero being charged Friday with second-degree assault, misconduct in office and false imprisonment. Mosby stated he was charged because the knife confiscated from Gray was legal under state law, so the arrest was illegal. 
 
 The arrest report stated that the 25-year-old Gray was carrying "a spring-assisted, one hand-operated knife." A police task force also determined the knife was "spring-assisted," thereby violating city law, The Baltimore Sun reported. 
 
 In a motion filed Monday, one of Nero's attorneys, Marc Zayon, states the knife is illegal under both city and state law. 
 
 City law prohibits the sale, possession or carrying of "any knife with an automatic spring or other device for opening and/or closing the blade," commonly called a switchblade. The state statue applies to a knife "having a blade that opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring, or other device in the handle." 
 
 "We will litigate the issues of the legality of the arrest of Freddie Gray in the courtroom," Zayon said in a statement. "I am quite confident Officer Nero will be acquitted." 
 
 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH AG Lynch pledges support to Baltimore | 01:44 Meeting community leaders, the mayor and police officers, Attorney General Loretta Lynch pledged support to help rebuild relations in the embattled city of Baltimore. (May 5) AP 1 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Baltimore begins recovery after curfew lifted | 01:07 Baltimore residents say ending the city's curfew was key in the healing process. The six-day curfew was enacted after violent demonstrations erupted following the death of Freddie Gray. He died of injuries suffered in police custody. VPC 2 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Baltimore mayor lifts curfew 6 days after riots | 00:59 Six days after riots forced a curfew in Baltimore, the mayor announced it has been lifted. The decision comes a day after thousands gathered outside Baltimore's City Hall to peacefully protest the death of Freddie Gray. VPC 3 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Baltimore curfew stirs controversy | 01:55 Baltimore residents and civil rights leaders are calling for an end to the city's curfew amid peaceful demonstrations for Freddie Gray. He died of spinal injuries suffered while in police custody. VPC 4 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Baltimore reacts to charges in Freddie Gray death | 01:27 Baltimore residents react after Maryland State's Attorney announced she would file charges against six city officers she says are responsible for the death of Freddie Gray. H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY 5 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Meet the cops who are charged in death of Freddie Gray | 02:29 Six police officers have been charged in connection with the death of Freddie Gray. Here are details about each involved officer. VPC 6 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Thousands of peaceful protesters march in Baltimore | 01:48 Thousands of protesters gathered in Baltimore for a peaceful protest on Saturday. The mood was more celebratory than tense following the state prosecutor's decision to charge six police officers in the death of Freddie Gray. VPC 7 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Raw: Baltimore curfew In place for third night | 01:03 The curfew in Baltimore, Maryland is in place for a third straight night. Streets are reported to be quiet, although one man was handcuffed after yelling at police. (May 1) AP 8 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Baltimore protesters: 'We gotta keep pushing' | 01:12 Protesters in Baltimore continue to call for criminal justice reform in the wake of Freddie Gray's death. VPC 9 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH #BaltimoreRising: 3 residents talk about the city's recovery | 01:08 Residents of Baltimore talk about what it's really like being in the town thrust into national controversy surrounding Freddie Gray's death Sierra Oshrin 10 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Raw video: Freddie Gray protest in Baltimore | 00:28 Thousands marched in protest in Baltimore Wednesday, April 29, 2015 in protest over the death of a man injured in police custody. via Instagram 11 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Baltimore protester: 'It's time for a positive change' | 01:09 Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Baltimore again to protest the death of Freddie Gray. VPC 12 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Sights and sounds from the Orioles' historically empty game | 01:25 The game was closed to the public, but it went on anyone. Here are some of the sights and sounds from Wednesday's Baltimore Orioles game. Video provided by Newsy Newsy 13 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Raw: Streets Clear As Baltimore Curfew Begins | 00:55 Streets in Baltimore cleared out quickly as a citywide curfew went into effect for the second straight night. (April 30) AP 14 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Heartwarming scenes from the streets of Baltimore | 01:07 Amid the chaos and pain moving through the streets of Baltimore, images of love and hope appear. VPC 15 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Watch massive crowd march in NYC to support Baltimore | 00:42 A massive crowd gathered in New York City Wednesday to protest over the death of Freddie Gray with Baltimore. VPC 16 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Clinton: Baltimore violence has to stop | 02:13 Hillary Rodham Clinton says unrest in Baltimore shows that the nation has "allowed our criminal justice system to get out of balance" but added that the "violence has to stop." (April 29) AP 17 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Baltimore mom: Teaching son 'right from wrong' | 01:10 Toya Graham, the mother videotaped slapping her son and pulling him out of a riot this week, says it was very upsetting to see him there. The videotape of Graham slapping her son has been viewed worldwide. (April 30) AP 18 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Gray's death issue of police character more than color, activist says | 03:55 USA TODAY columnist DeWayne Wickham talks to activist the Rev. Jamal Bryant about the death of Freddie Gray while in police custody. 19 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Baltimore gangs 'police' community, quell violence | 01:24 An unlikely coalition of gang members, pastors and community activists successfully turned away would-be trouble-makers before they even crossed the street. VPC 20 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Raw: Protesters march to Baltimore City Hall | 00:59 A group of protesters stretching more than a block marched from Penn Station in Baltimore to City Hall to protest Freddie Gray's death after being hurt while in police custody. (April 29) AP 21 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Baltimore PD: City stable after first night of curfew | 01:14 Ten people were arrested in Baltimore Tuesday after the first night of a week long curfew began. After some early "aggresive" behavior as described by police, the city is stable. Protests over Freddie Gray's death were largely peaceful Tuesday. VPC 22 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Baltimore cleans the streets following previous day after riots | 01:07 City of Baltimore cleans the streets following previous day of riots following the death and funeral of Freddie Gray, a 25-year old black man who died in police custody. Jack Gruber 23 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Damage in Baltimore as rioters set fires, loot stores | 03:00 As the sun came up in Baltimore Tuesday morning, the damage left behind by violent riots could be clearly seen. Buildings were burned and stores were destroyed. Protests started over the death of a black man, Freddie Gray, in police custody. VPC 24 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Baltimore shaken by violence, destruction | 01:21 Residents of Baltimore are dealing with the damage left behind by rioters who looted stores and set buildings on fire after Freddie Gray was laid to rest. Gray suffered a fatal spinal cord injury while in police custody. VPC 25 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Raw: Baltimore firefighters put out blaze at looted CVS | 01:01 Firefighters in Baltimore work to extinguish the flames and smoke at a looted CVS. VPC 26 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Video of Baltimore protests captured on city streets | 00:49 Violence erupted in Baltimore as protesters clashed with police, throwing objects and rocks at officers. Check out these videos from social media users who captured some intense moments on the streets of the city. VPC 27 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Freddie Gray's family calls for peace | 00:56 The family of Freddie Gray asked people in Baltimore, Maryland to stop rioting and looting. Riots shook the city after Gray's funeral on Monday. (April 28) AP 28 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Religious leaders try to quell Baltimore violence | 01:02 Religious leaders gathered in their churches Monday evening to pray for those affected by the riots in Baltimore. VPC 29 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Md. governor 'glad' Baltimore mayor 'finally' requested aid | 02:01 Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan declared State of Emergency and activated the National Guard Monday, saying that he is glad that Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rowlings-Blake "finally" requested aid from the state. VPC 30 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Baltimore mayor defends city's response to violence | 01:42 Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rowlings-Blake had some harsh words for both the rioters who looted stores and set buildings on fire, as well as for media who asked her some tough questions about the city's response to violence. VPC 31 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Protesters loot, set police car on fire in Baltimore | 01:02 Protesters set cars on fire and looted stores as protests over the death of Baltimore's Freddie Gray turned violent. VPC 32 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Raw: Looters target stores in Baltimore | 01:54 Rioters in the streets of Baltimore, Maryland are looting local stores. (April 27) AP 33 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Baltimore Mayor: 'Thugs' are destroying our city | 01:25 Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rowlings-Blake says she is outraged that the community is being destroyed by "thugs" after demonstrations over Freddie Gray's death turned violent Monday. At least 15 Baltimore police officers were injured. VPC 34 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Raw: CVS store up in flames | 01:03 Cars and at least one store have been set on fire and businesses have been looted in Baltimore. The riot started just hours after the funeral for Freddie Gray, who died in police custody. (April 27) AP 35 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH MD Police: 'Outrageous criminals' attacked cops | 01:19 Baltimore Police Department officials say a group of 'lawless individuals' attacked officers in the street. 7 officers reportedly have serious injuries and one is currently unconscious. (April 27) AP 36 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Baltimore protests halted during Freddie Gray's wake | 01:13 A wake was held in Baltimore for Freddie Gray on Sunday. Protesters took a break from their marching, at the request of Gray's family, and many went to pay their respects. VPC 37 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Freddie Gray attorney urges end to violence | 01:12 The attorney for the family of Freddie Gray is calling on the community to end their focus on violence in the wake of Gray's death. Gray suffered a fatal spinal injury while in police custody. (April 27) AP 38 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Mourners honor life of Freddie Gray at funeral | 02:11 Thousands of mourners turned out for the funeral of Freddie Gray who suffered from a fatal spinal injury while in police custody. (April 27) AP 39 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Baltimore mayor: 'This is our city' | 01:21 Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake called on protesters Sunday to remain peaceful, a day after 34 people were arrested and six police officers sustained minor injuries in clashes over the death of Freddie Gray. (April 26) AP 40 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Violence erupts during freddie gray protests | 01:29 Baltimore officials say outside "agitators" triggered some violent incidents that erupted during a mostly peaceful protest Saturday against the death of Freddie Gray. At least five police officers were injured and 34 people arrested. (April 26) AP 41 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Freddie Gray protest turns violent in Baltimore | 01:57 Windows were smashed, police were pelted with bottles, and several protesters were arrested as a peaceful rally unraveled in Baltimore. Demonstrators were demanding justice for Freddie Gray, who was fatally injured in police custody. VPC 42 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Thousands protest death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore | 02:07 Protesters took to the streets of Baltimore on Saturday to express their outrage over the death of Freddie Gray. They marched one day after the Baltimore Police Department acknowledged that it failed to get Gray the necessary medical attention. VPC 43 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Crowds gather for Baltimore protest | 00:58 A crowd gathered in Baltimore's Sandtown neighborhood Saturday in advance of a bigger protest at City Hall. Demonstrators are protesting the death of an African-American who was fatally injured while in police custody. (April 25) AP 44 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Mayor: Freddie Gray's death 'horribly tragic' | 01:10 Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake vows to get to the bottom of the cause of Baltimore resident Freddie Gray's death, who was critically injured while in police custody. (April 24) AP 45 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Freddie Gray protesters arrested in Baltimore | 01:41 Demonstrators took to the streets of Baltimore for a fifth day on Thursday to express their outrage over the death of Freddie Gray. Clashes between protesters and police ended with two arrests. VPC 46 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Protestors march through Baltimore streets | 01:03 Demonstrators marched around Baltimore's city hall and onto city streets on Thursday protesting the death of Freddie Gray, a black man who died of a mysterious spinal injury he suffered after he was arrested by Baltimore police. (April 23) AP 47 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Protests heat up as hundreds rally for Freddie Gray | 00:56 Hundreds of protesters continue to march in Baltimore and tensions with police are boiling up as protesters demand answers in the death of Freddie Gray. VPC 48 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Freddie Gray protester: 'Not an event, it's a movement' | 01:12 Hundreds of protesters gathered in downtown Baltimore to protest the death of Freddie Gray who died of a severe spinal cord injury after police arrested him. VPC 49 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Tension heats up in Maryland after Freddie Gray's death | 01:17 More protests are taking place in Baltimore as supporters of Freddie Gray pressed their demand for justice, and an explanation of how and why he died while in police custody. VPC 50 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Raw: Protesters demand justice for Maryland man | 01:32 Demonstrators who launched a week of protests to demand justice for a Baltimore man who died from a spinal injury he suffered while in police custody took to the streets Wednesday. (April 22) AP 51 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Freddie Gray's death sparks outrage, investigation | 01:21 As demonstrators called for justice for Freddie Gray, Baltimore's mayor promised that the city would get answers to questions of how and why the 25-year-old suffered a fatal spinal injury while in police custody. VPC 52 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Raw: MD rally held as probe is announced | 01:23 The Justice Dept. said Tuesday it has opened an investigation into the death of a Freddie Gray, who died of spinal injuries he suffered during an arrest. This comes as rally is held for a call for justice. (April 21) AP 53 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Baltimore police: No answers in Freddie Gray death | 01:53 Six Baltimore police officers have been suspended amid the ongoing investigation into the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray. Video provided by Newsy Newslook 54 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Witness said he heard Freddie Gray scream during arrest | 01:12 Baltimore resident Harold Perry said he witnessed police officers arrest Freddie Gray and heard his cries for help. Gray died while in police custody of a severe spinal injury. VPC 55 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH Police: still don't know how suspect died | 01:53 Baltimore police released videos Monday showing the arrest of a man who died of a severe spinal injury suffered in police custody. Six officers have been suspended, but investigators say they still don't know how it happened. (April 20) AP 56 of 57 BALTIMORE RESIDENTS PROTEST FREDDIE GRAY DEATH What happened while Freddie Gray was in police custody? | 01:46 Freddie Gray died Sunday, one week after an encounter with Baltimore police. Video provided by Newsy Newsy 57 of 57 Last VideoNext Video AG Lynch pledges support to Baltimore 
 
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 Mosby issued a rebuttal Tuesday. 
 
 "While the evidence we have obtained through our independent investigation does substantiate the elements of the charges filed, I refuse to litigate this case through the media," she said in a statement. "The evidence we have collected cannot ethically be disclosed, relayed or released to the public before trial." 
 
 Five other officers face charges ranging from second-degree murder to manslaughter to assault. All of the officers are free on bail. 
 
 The Sun reported that because of clerical mistakes, arrest warrants were erroneously issued for two people who share the same names as officers charged. 
 
 Gray died April 19 from an unexplained spinal injury while in police custody a week after his encounter with the officers. Mosby said Gray was handcuffed and wearing leg restraints when he was placed face-down in the back of a police transport van. When he arrived at the police substation about 45 minutes after his arrest, Gray was unresponsive. 
 
 His death triggered 10 days of protests, which led to rioting and citywide curfews after his funeral. Clashes between police and protesters led to the arrests of more than 200 people and injuries to at least 20 police officers. 
 
 Read or Share this story: http://usat.ly/1Ie2ukH ||||| Jury selection begins for one of the six Baltimore Police officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray. Gray, a 25-year-old black man, was fatally injured while in police custody. VPC 
 
 William Porter, one of six Baltimore city police officers charged in connection with the death of Freddie Gray, walks to a courthouse for jury selection in his trial, Nov. 30, 2015, in Baltimore. (Photo: AP) 
 
 Jury selection began Monday in the first high-stakes trial for Baltimore police officers involved in the April arrest of Freddie Gray, a young black man whose death set off a series of sometimes violent protests that tore "Charm City" apart. 
 
 The attorney for Gray's family said he expected that a jury would be seated by Wednesday. 
 
 The jury selection process for officer William Porter is crucial because it could determine whether it is possible to select impartial juries in the city for each of six officers charged in connection with Gray's death. Lawyers for the officers have said it's not possible; Baltimore Circuit Court Judge Barry Williams decided to try. 
 
 Williams conducted initial questioning in a courtroom, but planned to interview 66 prospective jurors in a private conference room, The Associated Press reported. The judge asked 75 potential jurors on Monday whether anyone had not heard about the case, the citywide curfew imposed after Gray's death or the $6.4 million settlement paid to his family. No one responded, but 12 jurors said they had family members in law enforcement. Thirty-seven said they had been a victim or a suspect in a crime, had been to jail or had charges pending against them, AP reported. 
 
 Twenty-six people said they had strong feelings about the charges against Porter. 
 
 Williams spent Monday afternoon questioning jurors individually, a process that could take days, The Baltimore Sun reported. But Gray family lawyer Billy Murphy on Monday told The Sun, "My prediction is that we'll have a jury of 12 people selected probably by tomorrow — Wednesday at the latest." 
 
 As the hearing proceeded, a small group of protesters gathered outside the courtroom, their chants of "All night, all day, we will fight for Freddie Gray," audible throughout the proceedings. 
 
 Outside the courthouse, Murphy said the $6.4 million settlement shouldn't preordain the trial's outcome. 
 
 "There are some people out here who think that if the city settled for a large amount of money, that meant the city thought the officer was guilty of some misconduct," he said. "But there was no settlement against any particular officer — and the burden of proof in a civil case is much lower than the burden of proof in a criminal case." 
 
 Murphy said the jury selection process will likely disqualify "some hard heads" who can't put their opinions of the police aside. But he added that the case demands jurors who can be impartial. "We're a city where our criminal justice system has not always been fair, especially to the black community," said Murphy, who is African-American. "And we, of all people, should not be asking for a conviction before hearing the first witness, the first exhibit." 
 
 Porter is charged with involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and assault in the death of Gray, who suffered a severe spinal cord injury while in police custody after his arrest April 12. Gray, 25, had been accused of carrying an illegal switchblade and was loaded unsecured in a police van. He died, apparently of injuries suffered in the van, one week later. 
 
 Protests that had been mostly peaceful then turned ugly, and rioting, looting and arson rocked the city. Baltimore's police chief was later fired and "Justice for Freddie Gray" became a battle cry for demonstrators in the "Black Lives Matter" movement. 
 
 Gray's case also prompted protests across the nation from demonstrators still outraged by the deaths of unarmed black men at the hands of police officers in Ferguson, Mo., and elsewhere. 
 
 Porter, 26, is a Baltimore native. Prosecutors say he monitored Gray during more than 30 minutes Gray spent in the van but ignored Gray's pleas for medical assistance. 
 
 Tessa Hill-Alston, president of the local NAACP, told The Baltimore Sun that her group will closely monitor the trial. 
 
 "We just want fairness and justice for Freddie Gray in a legal, calm way, and the courtroom is where it's happening," Hill-Alston told the Sun. She added, "This is a different day for Baltimore citizens, to have police go to trial. This is a monumental thing." 
 
 State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby drew praise from demonstration leaders and Gray's family when she announced May 1 that charges would be filed against six city officers — three black, three white — she said were responsible for Gray's death. Local Fraternal Order of Police president Gene Ryan expressed outrage. 
 
 The other trials are schedule for 2016. Officer Caesar Goodson Jr., the only officer who declined to speak to investigators after Gray's death, faces the most serious charges. Goodson, the officer driving the van, is charged with second-degree depraved-heart murder, a charge for an action that is considered to demonstrate a callous disregard for human life. In Maryland, it carries a sentence of up to 30 years. . 
 
 Prosecutors accuse Goodson of driving erratically despite knowing that Gray was injured and asking for medical assistance. 
 
 The city agreed in September to the settlement with Gray's family to avoid civil litigation in the case. Murphy said the settlement "represents civil justice." But Ryan called the deal "obscene," saying it would damage relations between officers and the city as well as efforts to return the city to "pre-riot normalcy." 
 
 Contributing: The Associated Press; Greg Toppo, USA TODAY; Follow John Bacon on Twitter: @jmbacon 
 
 Read or Share this story: http://usat.ly/1HzVWQb
– The Baltimore landscape is becoming more dire as police and demonstrators continue to clash following today's funeral for Freddie Gray, who died while in police custody on April 12. And when protests about Gray's death initially started turning violent on Saturday, local sports broadcaster Brett Hollander took to Twitter to highlight damaged storefronts, proclaiming in one tweet that "protests should not violate the basic freedoms of non-protestors." That's when Baltimore Orioles COO John Angelos stepped in, throwing out his own perspective with a series of tweets that USA Today's For the Win says amounts to "a qualified and brilliant defense of those protesting." "Brett, speaking only for myself, I agree with your point that the principle of peaceful, non-violent protest and the observance of the rule of law is of utmost importance in any society," he begins, citing MLK, Gandhi, and Nelson Mandela as examples of "great opposition leaders." Angelos' "greater source of personal concern, outrage and sympathy," however, isn't on the smashed windows, or even on the damaging acts themselves. Instead, he points out "the past four-decade period during which an American political elite … have plunged tens of millions of good, hard-working Americans into economic devastation, and then followed that action around the nation by diminishing every American’s civil rights protections." To wit: "An unfairly impoverished population [is] living under an ever-declining standard of living and suffering at the butt end of an ever-more militarized and aggressive surveillance state." (Head over to Angelos' Twitter feed to read what else he had to say.)