Relieved and emotional, the father of the Baltimore Police Officer acquitted of all charges in the arrest of Freddie Gray says his family can begin to move past this case.
The last 12 months have been a nightmare for Edward Nero Senior and his family.
"It has been a rollercoaster," said Nero Senior. "When it was over I just gave him a tremendous hug and said I love you."
A judge found Nero's son, Baltimore Police Officer Edward Nero not guilty of misconduct in office and reckless endangerment in the arrest of Freddie Gray. Gray was critically hurt while in police custody last year, dying a week after he was arrested.
The judge said Officer Nero was not involved in the arrest and only in touched Gray after he was in handcuffs.
"I sat in the courtroom from the very start to the end. I felt that the prosecution did a terrible job. They tried to present evidence that didn't exist and it made easier for the defense to do their job," added Nero Sr..
Protests broke out last year when Gray died from a broken neck after he was injured in the police transport van. Gray was handcuffed, but not restrained by a seat belt. The judge's decision to acquit Officer Nero was well received by Gray's attorney and family. Nero and his family got an earful from protestors outside the courthouse.
"When we left the courtroom, it was a very traumatic area. It was frightful," said Nero Sr.
Officer Nero waived a jury trial and chose to argue his case before a judge. One of the officer's charged with manslaughter was tried in December. The trial ended with a hung jury.