I LOVED Mosby's speech. I truly thought it was brilliant. She and her staff took the time to charge each person appropriately with what can be argued given the absolute letter of the law. If the speed limit is 25 and the guy did 30 he's guilty of something. Or is he?
Her speech and the subsequent charges squashed the rioting.
Some of these officers are absolutely guilty of some of the charges. Not seat belting him proves that. But, is it manslaughter or murder? In order to prove that, it has to be shown that the officers knew that it was likely Freddie would die. Unfortunately, that can be shown otherwise, because everyone screams about "rough rides". Out of the thousands that have been in paddy wagons how many have died from rough rides? That's not proving "likely" that's more or less proving the opposite. Supposedly the van has a black box of sorts, so we'll have to see.
The officers will have at their defense Freddie's actions. His screaming, dragging his feet, then his quietness and standing before being put in the wagon. His having to be restrained. The possibility of his having drugs in his system.
She stopped the rioting for now. But, if that knife turns out to be illegal, and the two officers whose crimes were illegal arrest and unlawful imprisonment have the charges are dropped, what happens then?
It's a brilliant speech if she wins 100%. That ain't happening.