Two defense motions filed in the Freddie Gray case were denied by a Baltimore judge Wednesday, according to CNN. One motion asked for a dismissal of alleged prosecutorial misconduct, while the other asked that prosecutor Marilyn Mosby recuse herself from the case.
Freddie Gray died of a spinal injury five months ago while he was in police custody, riding in a law enforcement vehicle. His death inspired protests across Baltimore in April.
There are more than 12 lawyers representing the six Baltimore police officers charged with causing Gray's death. All of the lawyers asked the court to drop the charges against the officers, saying Mosby's office had ordered the police to step up its presence in the area of the city where Gray was taken into custody, reported CNN.
Mosby, who publicly read a statement of charges against the officers, has been accused of being "reckless and unprofessional," said lawyer Andrew Graham, according to ABC News.
The officers are facing a bevy of charges ranging from assault to vehicular manslaughter to second-degree murder. All of them are being charged with second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office. They have all pled not guilty. Their trial will begin in October.
The Wednesday hearing was the first of two sessions that will take place before the trial begins, according to the New York Times. The second pretrial will determine whether the officers wll be tried together or separately.
Gray, 25, was arrested for allegedly carrying an illegal switchblade knife.
